Indiana: Promoting Hoosier values

 

The 2011 legislative session has placed Indiana at "ground zero" in the fight to keep schools strong and educators respected and included in collaborative school change. On April 20, Gov. Mitch Daniels signed legislation that restricts educator collective bargaining to wages and benefits. The law, which takes effect July 1, deals a grave blow to teachers and their ability to shape the conditions of teaching and learning in schools. The Indiana House and Senate also have passed different versions of a bill establishing a state-funded private school voucher program.

The destructive agenda unfolding in Indianapolis has sparked unprecedented AFT mobilization. Affiliates around the state have turned out big for demonstrations at the statehouse and in neighborhoods around the state. Their efforts have yielded some progress: Historic rallies helped prompt legislators and Gov. Mitch Daniels to scale back the new voucher law and end efforts to secure “right-to-work-for-less” legislation. Already, efforts are underway among Hoosier affiliates to gear up for 2012 and what promises to be a “game changer” election year. Affiliates are also battling reckless expansion of charter schools, in which unlicensed teachers would constitute a large share of the workforce.

Watch our video: Indiana Teachers Fight for Public Education

Online resources

• Read about Hoosier values for Indiana's public schools.
• Become a fan of the Indiana Federation of Teachers on Facebook.
• Become a fan of Indiana's Stand Up for Hoosiers Facebook page.
• Read updates from the Indiana AFL-CIO.

AFT news

Teachers Turn Out for Historic Indiana Rally

Indiana Teachers Spearhead Statehouse Rally

Hoosier Labor Fights Back Against Anti-Union Proposals

Media coverage and other links

Student-created public service video showing the impact of education budget cuts.

"OUR VIEW: Vouchers will hurt public education," Star Press

"Right to Work losing steam in Indiana," Kokomo Perspective

"Indiana union works rally at statehouse to protest bills," Indianapolis Star

Asked Twice, Gov. Daniels Can’t Explain How Eliminating Collective Bargaining Reduces Deficits, Think Progress