Jackson testifies on the second draft diploma proposal
Today (Nov. 8), the State Board of Education (SBOE) met to discuss the second draft of proposed changes to Indiana's high school diplomas. At this meeting, SBOE accepted public testimony to close out the public comment period.
State Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond) issued the following statement regarding her testimony:
“I have been a legislator for six years. Every single year since I have been elected, there has been a massive change in education policy that requires schools to completely redirect how they are teaching our children. It is our responsibility to educate all students in this state. We are failing to meet the responsibility because we continue to move the goal post for our teachers and students. Every time we have a program in place and new goals to achieve, we change direction and expect teachers and everyone else to fall in line. If we expect students to be able to meet the goals we set for them as a state, we need to be firm in our expectations.
“Additionally, I still have deep concerns about how this program is going to be implemented. To start, who is going to pay for these changes? For school districts already stretched thin, or for those in distressed status, this program will add extreme financial stress. Last year, citizens in my district voted against the referendum that would have increased school funding because they simply cannot afford higher property taxes. Our schools need more support from the state, not more unattainable goals.
“This diploma redesign comes at a time when our state is facing a severe shortage of school counselors. Right now, the average ratio is 694 students per one school counselor. It is virtually impossible for counselors to give each student the guidance and support they need to ensure they are on track to graduate and find success after high school. These changes will add to counselors' workload significantly as they must navigate the new system and may have to take on the additional role of staffing agent to help students find job placement in order to graduate.
“Overall, the lack of transparency and rushed timeline of this whole diploma redesign process is concerning. 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. I want to thank all of my constituents who have shared their thoughts with me on this subject, and all of the educators and concerned citizens who testified and submitted comments to the State Board of Education. I sincerely hope that the SBOE takes this feedback into account to address some of these very real issues before proceeding.”