State Rep. Woody Burton, a member of the House Education Committee, applauds House Bill (HB) 1009. The bill encourages teacher innovation by allowing teachers and administrators the ability to develop a plan to improve educational performance and student outcomes. The bill is scheduled for further consideration and debate by the committee.
“In order to provide the highest quality of learning for Hoosier students, we must allow teachers and administrators the freedom to create the best learning environment,” said Rep. Burton. “This legislation will focus more resources on the classroom and free teachers from burdensome regulations.”
HB 1009 allows a group of teachers, a principal or a superintendent to submit a plan to a school board to designate a school, entire district or multiple school districts as a Freedom to Teach school or district. The plan should focus on improving student outcomes through innovation and increasing salaries for teachers, rated effective or highly effective. The bill also establishes a Freedom to Teach Grant Fund that would provide resources to schools whose innovative proposals are approved by the State Board of Education (SBOE).
“This legislation is an important step towards attracting and retaining the best teachers,” said Rep. Burton. “I am pleased to see the success that Indianapolis Public Schools have had with a similar model, and I believe this legislation will allow teachers the flexibility and freedom they need to better educate the next generation of Hoosier leaders.
