Hitting the $40,000 Threshold: A Rural Critical Policy Analysis of Indiana Competitive Teacher Pay Legislation

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Nine
  In Roundtable Session: Show Me the Money: Funding and the Allocation of Resources (Table 4)

Abstract

Recognizing a need for competitive teacher pay, Indiana recently passed legislation to increase teacher salaries to a minimum of $40,000 by the 2022-23 school year. At the time this legislation was passed, 94% of rural districts in Indiana had minimum teacher salaries below the $40,000 threshold, calling for an analysis of how this policy might impact rural school districts. Applying a Rural Critical Policy Analysis Framework, I explore the potential unintended impacts of this policy across and within rural areas. I find that while rural teachers appear to gain the most from this legislation, many rural districts will have a difficult time achieving this threshold due to lack of state aid as a result of declining enrollments.

Author

• Kristie LeBeau, Cornell University
  Presenting Author