AVON, Ind. (AP) _ A state lawmaker is seeking to move more educators into Indiana's classrooms by allowing them to negotiate their own contract with schools.

Republican state Sen. Pete Miller of Avon said his proposed legislation would allow educators to negotiate their contracts rather than be subject to the collective bargaining contracts teachers unions negotiate.

Miller tells The Indianapolis Star (http://indy.st/1V7hMwH) his bill will aim to address concerns that Indiana is facing a shortage of licensed educators opting to work in the field. His measure would allow schools to hire high-demand teachers in science, math and special education through individual contracts and at a higher pay rate.

The state's largest teachers union has denounced Miller's proposal. The Indiana State Teachers Association says it would weaken collective bargaining instead of addressing the teacher shortage.