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Indiana receives federal funds to retain teacher

Posted at 7:30 PM, Sep 10, 2015
and last updated 2015-09-10 19:30:26-04

Indiana is one of 16 states receiving money from the U.S.Department of Education to help retain teachers, specifically in some of the state's poorer districts. 

In order to receive the funding, each state had to submit a plan to eliminate gaps some kids face in access to quality teachers and solutions for local problems. 

This announcement comes as Indiana is fighting a teacher shortage. The state has had an 18-percent drop in the number of teachers receiving first-time licenses in the past 5 years, particularly in the areas of math and science. 

RELATED | Indiana schools tap resource of retired educators to battle teacher shortage

Last week, Glenda Ritz, Superintendent of Public Instruction, announced the Blue Ribbon Commission to attract and retain teachers. 

Other states receiving money include: Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Main, Missouri, Minnesota, New York, Nevada, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Wisconsin.