Dant Chesser encouraged by positive diploma updates, values feedback from the community
Last week, the Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE) revealed the second draft proposal for Indiana's new high school diploma. The official proposal has not been published, but the preliminary updates include eliminating the GPS Diploma and GPS Diploma Plus.
State Rep. Wendy Dant Chesser (D-Jeffersonville) released the following statement regarding the second draft:
“I’m encouraged by the positive updates to the State Board of Education's diploma redesign. We’re getting closer to a diploma that creates a pathway for all students, whether it’s college, employment or enlistment. I would like to thank the Department of Education for its commitment to incorporating public feedback in the revised draft. They’ve made a noticeable effort to improve the proposal's academic rigor, encouraging our students to be lifelong learners.
“As a business professional, I’m excited to see an optional employment seal included for our students interested in work-based learning. However, I still have unanswered questions about the logistics of external student employment related to liability, availability, funding, transportation and safety. I hope these questions will be answered in the official documentation. There’s still room for improvement to give our Hoosier kids the best opportunities possible. If we’re going to make changes, we’ve got to make sure we do it right.
“Thank you to my community for your feedback and engagement on this topic. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with my community and the IDOE when the next public comment period begins. I plan to be the link between our community and the Statehouse, so the voices of Southern Indiana are heard and represented.”
The latest diploma proposal is not yet available on the Indiana Register. IDOE and SBOE will open another public comment period with an online portal and public forum, expected this fall. The final rule on the new diploma must be adopted by December 31, 2024.