Education was in focus today at the Statehouse, and strengthening the state’s education and workforce development efforts have been a priority for...
Dear John -
Education was in focus today at the Statehouse, and strengthening the state’s education and workforce development efforts have been a priority for Governor Holcomb and Republican legislators from day one. Parents, teachers and students have allies and partners in the governor’s office and Indiana General Assembly.
Governor Holcomb identified the need to increase teacher compensation as vital to ensuring Hoosier kids receive a world-class education. During his 2019 State of the State Address, the governor said, “a great education depends on great teachers…and one way to attract and retain more of those teachers is to make teacher pay more competitive.”
And he’s already taken concrete action to ensure resources are available to local school corporations so they can increase the compensation of their teachers. Earlier this year, the governor instructed the state to pay off $150 million in local school pension liabilities. This freed up $150 million in local school budgets across Indiana, which can now be used to give teachers a well-deserved raise.
Governor Holcomb also created the Indiana Teacher Pay Commission to find sustainable revenue streams that will ensure teacher pay increases are long-term raises and not one-time bonuses.
The concerns of Indiana’s education community have been heard and are being acted on. Just look at a few highlights of what’s happened so far:
Over 50% of the state’s annual budget is devoted to education.
Governor Holcomb and the General Assembly INCREASED education funding $763 million this budget cycle.
Governor Holcomb and the General Assembly have INCREASED education investment by $1.6 billion cumulatively since 2017.
Governor Holcomb and the General Assembly expanded Pre-K programs for low-income kids.
3,500 kids in over 75 counties are served by this expansion
Computer science classes will be offered in all K-12 schools by 2021.
Provided opportunities for professional development for computer science teachers
$19 million invested to strengthen school safety
$2 million invested to support counseling and career guidance for students
Expanded 21st Century Scholars program
Created Office of Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeships to give students hands-on career experience while they finish their education
Gov. Holcomb created Graduation Pathways so local schools and businesses could collaborate on new graduation programs.
Created first-ever STEM council to help bring more STEM education to school
$2 million invested to enhance school technology and connectivity
Additionally, beginning in 2021, the state’s chief education official will be part of the governor’s cabinet, and those two offices will work hand-in-glove to ensure Hoosier parents, teachers and students have the best education options possible.
Indiana has come a long way under Republican leadership and there’s more work still to be done. We’re grateful to the teachers who’ve made their voices heard and are doing so much to prepare future generations of Hoosiers.
