Teachers union wants educator safety, increased pay as legislative focus

The state’s largest teachers union unveiled its 2025 legislative agenda Tuesday, calling for measures to address student-on-educator injuries, boost teacher pay, and improve conditions for educators statewide.

“We know with the shortage that we're facing that we need to focus on the things that are going to retain educators in our classrooms,” said Jennifer Smith-Wargraf, Indiana State Teachers Association's vice president.

Their priorities focus on not only funding but shifts to educator training, school safety and support for students. 

Smith-Wargraf hopes increased funding will help alleviate Indiana’s educator shortage. There were 1,900 educator job openings as of Wednesday, according to the state job board.

“We must ensure that all students have the resources needed for them to learn and grow with inflation and rising costs, especially in rural and low income areas, a funding increase will help level the playing field for all Indiana's children,” she said. “Our students are learning now and need support now.”

Here are three key issues ISTA plans to lobby for the upcoming legislative session. 

Raise teacher salaries

Smith-Margraf said the union plans to ask lawmakers to increase teacher salaries to inflation-adjusted rates. 

The minimum starting salary for teachers is $40,000 while the average salary is just above $60,000.

“We're looking at how inflation has affected all of our different locals across the state,” Smith-Margraf said. “We are looking for an increase in funding that will help make sure that we are paid competitively.”

They also want lawmakers to implement 12 weeks of paid parental leave for all public school employees. 

ISTA’s priorities include a push for lawmakers to “fully fund” public schools and ensure adequate state funds cover student textbooks. 

During the 2023 session, state lawmakers tied $160 million to pay for textbooks and curricular materials so families are no longer responsible. But Smith-Margraf said a number of fees tied to books, charged by school districts, are not covered. 

“We're asking for them to not just cover the textbook portion of it, but the fee portion of it,” Smith-Margraf said. “We don't believe that parents should be responsible for that.”

Accountability for reporting teacher injuries

Thousands of teachers and other school workers were hurt by students on the job last school year, according to a 2024 state report.

ISTA leaders are concerned about those injuries caused by students. 

WFYI reported that of Indiana's 291 public school districts, only 110 districts reported at least one incident to the education department. Dozens of charter schools also did not submit reports. It’s unclear if absent schools were due to non-compliance or had no incidents to report.

The union wants districts who have not yet shared state-required data on these injuries to be handed a fine if they aren’t compliant. Currently, there’s no penalty for schools who don’t submit this data.

They believe more school counselors and restorative justice programs for students could benefit campus environments. They want lawmakers to support that.

Smith-Margraf said teachers care about their paycheck and how they are treated on the job.

“When we have talked with our educators through surveys, we know that wages and benefits is a key driver to them leaving the classroom,” she said. “But we also know that these types of working conditions where they do not feel safe in their schools is another one that is driving them out.”    

Funding for literacy training

The state education department introduced an 80-hour literacy training plan for early childhood, elementary, and special education teachers to address declining reading skills. Teachers can earn up to $1,200 for completing the program, though Smith-Margraf emphasized the amount must adequately compensate educators, many of whom juggle multiple jobs.

Teachers also have to take a written exam to complete the training. And without it, an educator can not renew their teaching license. New teachers going for an initial license in the targeted areas will need to get this endorsement beginning in July 2025.

The union thinks veteran teachers should not be required to sit for the test if they participate in the training. They hope lawmakers will remove that condition.

“We don't think that that high stakes test is necessary,” Smith-Margraf said. “It's an additional barrier, an additional hoop that people have to jump through when they've already done all these other things to demonstrate their competence.”

The 2025 legislative session begins Jan. 8

Rachel Fradette is WFYI's Statehouse education reporter. Contact Rachel at rfradette@wfyi.org.