Two local lawmakers and educators voiced concerns Friday during a public hearing about a lack of detail in Indiana’s proposed high school diploma shift that leans heavily into work-based experiences.
The public comment window ended Friday for Hoosiers to offer input on the state’s second draft of the diploma, set to go into effect with the Class of 2029.
A Highland High physical education teacher and a Gary public education advocate also testified at the State Board of Education hearing in Indianapolis.
People could also submit comments online.
A state law calls for the board to establish new criteria for the diploma by the end of this year and for the current diploma standards to sunset in 2028.
School districts across the state have asked for a delay in the implementation, citing the need to revamp and align courses and schedules for eighth graders as they enter their freshman year next fall.
A spokeswoman for the state Department of Education said only the legislature could authorize a delay. It doesn’t convene until Jan. 9.
“The proposal suggests that schools would need to prepare students for this program in half of the school year, but there is no clear funding mechanism to support the staffing and resources required to make this happen,” said state Rep. Earl Harris, D-East Chicago.
“Schools are already stretched thin, and this proposal doesn’t provide the necessary financial support to implement these changes effectively.”
State Rep. Carolyn Jackson, D-Hammond, said the diploma changes should be delayed.
“Overall, the lack of transparency and rushed timeline of this whole diploma redesign process is concerning,” she said.
She pointed out Indiana’s severe guidance counselor shortage and said the new diploma changes will add to their workload.
“The most logical course of action is for the SBOE to delay finalizing this proposal until they can answer the pressing questions posed at this meeting and the last,” Jackson said.
Reese Ryzewski, of Valparaiso, who’s the health and physical education chair at Highland High School, said she gave a pep talk to 300 physical education teachers last week to stem their worries about the diploma’s impact.
Physical education requirements are reduced from three required credits to two, under the draft. The change could trigger cash-strapped schools to downsize teachers.
Ryzewski said physical education provides many student benefits including improved grades, better behavior and lower health costs.
Michaela Spangenberg, of the Gary Education Coalition, said the amount of classroom instructional time carved out for work-based experience was “absurd.”
The second diploma draft’s base diploma would require 42 credits, up from 40.
Students can earn “readiness seals” aligned with three career pathways – college enrollment, employment or military enlistment.
Each pathway has a “plus” version that requires more classes, and work experience.
Spangenberg said the employment seal “plus” requires 650 work hours.
Even the honors diploma seal calls for 100 or more hours of work-based learning.
“I question what problem is being solved… It sounds like it’s a workforce issue. Somebody out there just wants a lot of uneducated workers by offering diplomas that won’t be accepted anywhere else,” she said.
The diploma’s second draft emerged in August after its first draft drew widespread criticism from educators, parents and universities. University leaders said that diploma wouldn’t meet their admission requirements.
The first draft omitted the honors diploma, an option popular with college-bound students.
The second draft added the honors enrollment seal that meets college requirements.
Brad Miller, guidance director at Perry Meridian High School in Indianapolis, said he has to meet with eighth graders’ families in January and explain the new requirements.
“And I’m not sure what they are,” he said of the six seals.
“Decreasing the number of P.E. credits is surprising since we’re one of the fattest states around,” he said.
Meanwhile, GOP Gov.-elect Mike Braun, whose education agenda favors the expansion of private school vouchers, hasn’t named a new education secretary yet.
Current state education secretary Katie Jenner has been leading the process of establishing the new diploma requirements.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
