IN HB1387

Establishes a teacher recruitment and retention fund administered by the department of education to attract and retain qualified teachers in Indiana geographic areas with critical teacher shortages through student loan repayment assistance.

Teachers receiving student loan repayment assistance must agree to work as licensed teachers in teacher shortage areas for at least 5 years; recipients can receive up to $3,000 per year (maximum $15,000 total) covering 50% of principal and interest on federal student loans.

Teachers who fail to meet the 5-year employment commitment immediately breach their contract and must repay all loan assistance minus one-third for each year of service rendered, plus federal Stafford Loan interest.

Establishes the teachers' national board certification incentive fund with goals that every public school has at least one nationally board-certified teacher by 2028, funded through stipends ($200/day for 2 days of exam preparation), 75% reimbursement of certification fees, mentor stipends, $2,000 annual salary supplements for certified teachers, and substitute teacher costs.

Requires school corporations to provide at least 5 days of paid released time during the school year for teachers pursuing national board certification; salary supplements apply to teachers certified as of July 1, 2016, or later for the life of their certificate.