2011 Indiana Code
TITLE 20. EDUCATION
ARTICLE 28. SCHOOL TEACHERS
CHAPTER 4. TRANSITION TO TEACHING PROGRAM

IC 20-28-4
Chapter 4. Transition to Teaching Program

IC 20-28-4-1
"Program"
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "program" refers to the transition to teaching program established by section 2 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.12.

IC 20-28-4-2
Establishment
Sec. 2. The transition to teaching program is established to accomplish the following:
(1) Facilitate the transition into the teaching profession of competent professionals in fields other than teaching.
(2) Allow competent professionals who do not hold a teaching license to earn and be issued a teaching license through participation in and satisfactory completion of the program.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.12.

IC 20-28-4-3
Program; development and administration
Sec. 3. Subject to the requirements of this chapter, the department shall develop and administer the program. The department shall determine the details of the program that are not included in this chapter.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.246-2005, SEC.150.

IC 20-28-4-4
Program; requirements
Sec. 4. An entity approved by the department may establish a course of study that meets the requirements of this section. A program approved under this section must comply with the following requirements:
(1) Include the following study requirements:
(A) For a program participant who seeks to obtain a license to teach in grades 5 through 12, up to eighteen (18) credit hours of study or the equivalent that:
(i) prepare a program participant to meet Indiana standards for teaching in the subject areas corresponding to the area in which the program participant has met the education requirements under section 5 of this chapter, unless the program participant demonstrates that the program participant requires fewer credit hours of study to meet Indiana standards for teaching; and
(ii) provides the program participants with instruction in scientifically based reading instruction.
(B) For a program participant who seeks to obtain a license to teach in kindergarten through grade 6, twenty-four (24)

credit hours of study or the equivalent, which must include at least six (6) credit hours in teaching scientifically based reading instruction, that prepare a program participant to meet Indiana standards for teaching, unless the program participant demonstrates that the program participant requires fewer credit hours of study to meet Indiana standards for teaching.
(2) Focus on student mastery of standards established by the state.
(3) Include suitable field or classroom experiences if the program participant does not have teaching experience.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.246-2005, SEC.151; P.L.2-2007, SEC.215; P.L.90-2011, SEC.15.

IC 20-28-4-5
Participants; qualifications
Sec. 5. An individual who wishes to participate in the program must have one (1) of the following qualifications:
(1) For a program participant who seeks to obtain a license to teach in grades 5 through 12, one (1) of the following:
(A) A bachelor's degree or the equivalent with a grade point average of at least three (3.0) on a four (4.0) point scale from an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the subject area that the individual intends to teach.
(B) A graduate degree from an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the subject area or a related field that the individual intends to teach.
(C) Both:
(i) a bachelor's degree from an accredited postsecondary educational institution with a grade point average of at least two and five-tenths (2.5) on a four (4.0) point scale; and
(ii) five (5) years professional experience;
in the subject or a related area that the individual intends to teach.
(2) For a program participant who seeks to obtain a license to teach in kindergarten through grade 6, one (1) of the following:
(A) A bachelor's degree or the equivalent with a grade point average of at least three (3.0) on a four (4.0) point scale from an accredited institution of higher education.
(B) Both:
(i) a bachelor's degree from an accredited postsecondary educational institution with a grade point average of at least two and five-tenths (2.5) on a four (4.0) point scale; and
(ii) five (5) years professional experience in an education related field, as determined by the department.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.2-2007, SEC.216; P.L.90-2011, SEC.16.
IC 20-28-4-6
Grant of initial practioner license
Sec. 6. The department shall grant an initial practitioner license to a program participant who does the following:
(1) Successfully completes the requirements of the program.
(2) Demonstrates proficiency through a written examination in:
(A) basic reading, writing, and mathematics;
(B) pedagogy; and
(C) knowledge of the areas in which the program participant is required to have a license to teach;
under IC 20-28-5-12(b).
(3) Participates successfully in a beginning teacher residency program that includes implementation in a classroom of the teaching skills learned in the program.
(4) Receives a successful assessment of teaching skills upon completion of the beginning teacher residency program under subdivision (3) from the administrator of the school where the beginning teacher residency program takes place, or, if the program participant does not receive a successful assessment, continues participating in the beginning teacher residency program.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.246-2005, SEC.152; P.L.2-2007, SEC.217; P.L.90-2011, SEC.17.

IC 20-28-4-7
Restriction of initial practioner license; application of section
Sec. 7. This section applies to a program participant who has a degree or related experience described in section 5 of this chapter that does not include all the content areas of a proficient practitioner license issued by the department. The department shall issue an initial practitioner license that is restricted to only the content areas in which the program participant has a degree unless the program participant demonstrates sufficient knowledge in other content areas of the license.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.246-2005, SEC.153; P.L.90-2011, SEC.18.

IC 20-28-4-8
Program participant school corporation employee; qualified instructor in subject area
Sec. 8. A school corporation may hire a program participant to teach only in the subject area in which the participant meets the qualifications set forth under section 5 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.12.

IC 20-28-4-9
Renewal of initial practitioner license
Sec. 9. After receiving an initial practitioner license under section 6 or 7 of this chapter, a program participant who seeks to renew the participant's initial practitioner license must meet the same

requirements for license renewal as other candidates for license renewal.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.90-2011, SEC.19.

IC 20-28-4-10
Rules
Sec. 10. (a) The state board may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to administer this chapter.
(b) Rules adopted under this section must include a requirement that entities approved to offer the program submit an annual report to the department of the number of individuals who:
(1) enroll in; and
(2) complete;
the program.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.246-2005, SEC.154; P.L.90-2011, SEC.20.

IC 20-28-4-11
Teacher shortage areas; employment of transition to teaching program participants; conditions; transition to teaching permit
Sec. 11. (a) This section applies only to:
(1) a school corporation; or
(2) a subject area;
that is designated by the state board as having an insufficient supply of licensed teachers.
(b) The governing body of a school corporation or the appointing authority of an accredited nonpublic school may employ a program participant if the program participant is hired to teach in a subject area or a school corporation to which this section applies.
(c) Before employing a program participant under subsection (b), the superintendent of the school corporation must make a determination that one (1) of the following conditions exists:
(1) There is no fully certified and highly effective teacher available for the position.
(2) The program participant is the best qualified candidate for the position.
(d) A program participant who is employed under this section is eligible to receive a transition to teaching permit. The transition to teaching permit is valid for three (3) years, and may not be renewed.
(e) A program participant who is employed under this section:
(1) shall enter into either:
(A) a regular teacher's contract under IC 20-28-6-5; or
(B) a temporary teacher's contract under IC 20-28-6-6, if replacing a teacher on a leave of absence;
(2) is eligible to participate in a mentor teacher program; and
(3) satisfies the field or classroom experience component of the program under section 4(3) of this chapter.
(f) The state board:
(1) shall review; and
(2) may renew; the designation of a school corporation or a subject area as having an insufficient supply of licensed teachers not more than two (2) years following the initial designation under subsection (a).
As added by P.L.150-2006, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.121-2009, SEC.9; P.L.90-2011, SEC.21.