Hamilton optimistic about updated diploma proposals, thanks constituents for their involvement
Wednesday, Aug. 14, the Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE) revealed the second draft proposal for Indiana's new high school diploma.
State Rep. Carey Hamilton (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement regarding the updated draft proposals:
“Two weeks ago, I testified to the State Board of Education on behalf of the educators, students and parents in my community. The concerns from my constituents about the diploma requirements were overwhelming. The GPS and GPS Plus diploma proposals failed in many aspects, specifically academic rigor, college admissions, the safety of students in the workplace, transportation, availability of employment opportunities and the burden this will place on local businesses and school funding.
“I was proud to stand beside my fellow House Democrats every step of the way as we fought tirelessly to demand the best for Hoosier students. One of the biggest concerns with the initial proposal was that it did not create a pathway for students to be competitive when it comes to college admissions. The honors enrollment seal option will potentially add a pathway that will get Hoosier students into universities. However, we will have to wait until the official draft comes out to be sure of this change.
“While this is a positive update, my optimism comes with a degree of caution. We still do not have answers to many of the workforce related questions that arose from this proposal. How will students be transported to these jobs? Will there be enough job opportunities available, especially in small communities? How can we guarantee our students will be safe in the workplace? Who will have to pay for background checks of employees?
“With an upcoming legislative budget session, I hope for continued collaboration between all stakeholders. Concerns remain that the shift in required coursework will create budget and staffing constraints in schools. Years of cuts to public school funding have already left Hoosier schools tapping into their academic budgets to keep the lights on and buses running. When schools have to make difficult financial decisions, classes (and their teachers) that aren’t required to graduate may end up on the chopping block, limiting options for all students.
“I want to thank everyone in my community who reached out to me to share their unique perspective on this issue and to those who provided feedback to the SBOE directly. I am glad we are taking steps in this state to introduce students who do not want to pursue higher education to career options. While there are still unanswered logistical questions, I am optimistic that this second draft is a step in the right direction. Now, we wait for the official draft and the next public comment period to begin.”
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.