(Statehouse) – 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.”
To follow this bill along with others being filed for the 2025 legislative session, visit iga.in.gov.
(State Senator Jean Leising press release)
