INDIANAPOLIS — On Wednesday, the Indiana State Board of Education went over a second draft of proposed changes for high school diplomas.
Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner offered the following reasons for the needed changes:
- Fewer students are enrolling in higher education.
- Graduating seniors don't have the skills needed for career opportunities.
- Students who want to enlist in the military find out they are disqualified when it's too late.
- Chronic absenteeism and increased student apathy
The new proposed model offers a base diploma with minimum requirements for all students. Students would earn 42 credits instead of the current 40 credits needed. Students have the opportunity to earn readiness seals with a focus on higher education, the workforce or military enlistment.
Some parents and educators weren't 100% on board with the proposal.
"It's my fear that the new pathways that deemphasize languages, world geography and, to some extent, even higher-level math skills will leave my children and their peers unprepared to compete and excel in a 21st century economy," Dr. Bartel Berg said.
Other parents said the model is a great step forward but are concerned students won't be able to leverage flexibility when they want to change pathways.
"I think we need to remember that education is not just about getting a job," parent Michelle Stigler said. "We are educating future citizens and that part of citizenship is a much more well-rounded and robust thing than just checking off boxes toward graduation."
On Aug. 15, Indiana University shared a letter of support they had sent to IDOE. IU praised several improvements over prior drafts of the diploma overall. The letter read in part:
"In particular, we appreciate the specificity with which the Enrollment Ready Seals have been developed. It is our hope that these Seals will be encouraged as mutually contributory options, where students are prepared for, and informed of, the rich range of possibilities across the Indiana post-secondary and employment landscape."
The board has to adopt the final rule before Dec. 31, 2024.