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Bills to create adjunct status for public school teachers considered in Statehouse

The current legislation would exclude the adjunct teachers from collective bargaining agreements, a measure the Indiana State Teachers Association calls a “union busting” effort.
FILE PHOTO: WFIU/WTIU
The current legislation would exclude the adjunct teachers from collective bargaining agreements, a measure the Indiana State Teachers Association calls a “union busting” effort.

A bill moving forward in the Indiana Senate would let public schools hire part time “adjunct” teachers without any teaching training.

Bill author Sen. Linda Rogers (R-Granger) said it could help address an ongoing teacher shortage, but critics say it will lower education quality.

Senate Bill 356 would allow school corporations to fill classes with part-time teachers from the community. They're likened to part-time college professors who are invited to teach based on expertise.

The current legislation would exclude the adjunct teachers from collective bargaining agreements, a measure the Indiana State Teachers Association calls a “union busting” effort.

“Nobody’s denying, we have a teacher shortage problem,” said Gail Zeheralis, ISTA public policy and political affairs specialist during a Senate committee. “But this is wrong-headed and I can’t be any clearer.”

A bill with similar language – House Bill 1251 – passed through the Indiana House on Monday afternoon.

Contact reporter Justin at jhicks@wvpe.org or follow him on Twitter at @Hicks_JustinM.

Justin Hicks joined the reporting team for Indiana Public Broadcasting News (IPB News) through funding made available by (IPBS) Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations. Justin was based out of WVPE in his new role as a Workforce Development Reporter for IPB News.