The challenge in front of every district: retaining teachers If there is one issue that towers over the rest, it is teacher retention. Indiana is seeing more educators arrive through non-traditional pathways and alternative licensure. That brings opportunity and urgency. “Nothing improves student performance more than well trained teachers,” Logani says. “Indiana has invested heavily in reading training, which works, but it is expensive. The challenge is how to sustain that across the curriculum, especially in secondary math, when budgets are tight.” Compensation and benefits remain part of the equation. Policymakers have pushed to lift salaries and rein in healthcare costs. The association backs that direction and wants local leaders to have the tools to reward growth over time, not just entrylevel pay. “Retention means progress for the first, second, 159 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 10 INDIANA SMALL AND RURAL SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION
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