By Unknown State Rep. Justin Moed's (D-Indianapolis) long-term goal of strengthening Indiana's pool of high-quality teachers has taken a significant stride forward with the approval of House Enrolled Act 1002. The legislation, co-authored by Moed, was signed by Gov. Mike Pence in a ceremony today at Plainfield High School. HEA 1002 creates the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship Program and Fund, a program designed to retain the best and brightest educators for Indiana classrooms by providing them with substantial scholarships. The scholarship program and fund awards $7,500 scholarships annually to the top ranking students in Indiana who plan to teach in the state of Indiana after graduating. Individuals who are awarded the scholarship will be required to teach a minimum of five consecutive years in a public school or an accredited non-public school. "The implementation of this scholarship will help attract and retain the best and brightest students in the field," said Moed. "It is our intention to lift up the field of education by showing Indiana's future teachers that we are invested in their profession and determined to provide Indiana's youngest Hoosiers with the best education we can offer. "These efforts attracted strong bipartisan support throughout the 2016 legislative session, and I was proud to join House Speaker Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis) as a co-author on HEA 1002," he continued. "If we are to be serious about our commitment toward retaining our best scholars and improving our schools, these are the types of initiatives that we have to be enacting in state government. Today represents a huge step forward for our state and its young people."