State Senators Becker, Leising, Glick file bill removing excessive requirements for educator literacy endorsement
STATEHOUSE (Nov. 22, 2024) — State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) filed a bill this week to remove excessive requirements for state educators to obtain a literacy endorsement, which is required to maintain a teaching license. She is joined on the bill by State Sens. Vaneta Becker (R-Evansville) and Sue Glick (R-LaGrange).
While teachers who provide literacy instruction for students in pre-K through fifth grade are, as of last year, required to complete 80 hours of evidence-based professional development in science of reading and a written examination to renew their license, the new bill would lower that requirement to 40 hours and remove the written examination requirements for teachers who renew their license beginning July 1, 2027.
“I have several teachers in my district with decades of experience in their field who have pointed out that these new requirements are an excessive burden with little actual benefit to their ability to do their jobs effectively,” Leising said. “The requirements listed in the bill are much more reasonable and still make sure teachers are kept up to date with the latest evidence-based practices in their profession.”
The literacy endorsement is intended to train teachers in the Science of Reading, which takes into account the developmental psychology of how children learn to read. It emphasizes the best methods for reading instruction include phonics and vocabulary.
“Our nation is dealing with a teacher shortage, and having even more red tape in place for teachers to keep their license is counterproductive,” Becker said. “Teachers don’t always have the time or ability to continue to take exams and complete hours of extra training, and this bill will make the literacy endorsement requirements much more reasonable to achieve.”
“Our teachers already dedicate so much of their time and effort to ensure Hoosier students get the most out of their educational experience,” Glick said. “On top of that, our state is still struggling with a teacher shortage and part of that issue could be due to the extreme burden caused by these new requirements. This bill will help relieve some of the stress teachers are faced with by doing away with the overwhelming literacy endorsement requirements, while also ensuring our students will still be set up for success in the classroom.”
To follow this bill along with others being filed for the 2025 legislative session, visit iga.in.gov.
