Indiana’s historic shortage of minority teachers will get even worse if legislation currently under consideration in the General Assembly becomes law.
Since 1988, the state’s Minority Teacher Scholarship Fund has been in place to encourage individuals to pursue careers in the field. It helps find future role models for our children, and provides a means to help committed young men and women attain the dream of helping others.
But legislation (House Bill 1316) authored by state Rep. Ed Clere, R-New Albany, and championed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHE) would drastically change the program.
Right now, a minority student who takes part in the program can get a scholarship of up to $16,000 based on financial need to help defray costs of learning their craft. In return, the student must agree to teach within the state of Indiana.
The bill would change that scholarship into a stipend of no more than $5,000 that would not be provided until the student begins student teaching.
The CHE claims this change is needed because the scholarship program has underperformed dramatically. The commission provides no documented proof of this claim.
What we do know is this:
In the 2011-12 academic year, the program funded just under $330,000 for scholarships for 152 students. That amount is less than 0.1 percent of the commission’s student financial assistance budget.
That is more than 150 young men and women who will have the chance to teach, to help children find the spark that will enable them to flower and grow.
What the CHE is pursuing will cut back the numbers of students who want to participate. By giving them a stipend after they graduate, they will force these students to collect more debt. They may even have to pay taxes on the stipend.
This idea is wrong. It runs counter to the spirit of the plan that former state Rep. Bill Crawford came up with more than 20 years ago. It will keep more minority students from becoming teachers. It will widen the achievement gap in our schools.
I’m sure you’re as outraged about this as I am. Here’s how to register your concern:
You can reach the Commission on Higher Education at (317) 464-4400 and the author of the bill through the toll-free Statehouse telephone number, 1-800-382-9841.
Now is the time to act. If we are to pursue educational excellence for all, we must provide the best opportunities possible to achieve that success.
State Sen. Lonnie M. Randolph
D-East Chicago
Chairman, Indiana Black Legislative Caucus
