Pryor shares remaining concerns over diploma proposal, 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. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement regarding the updated draft proposals: 

“At the last State Board of Education meeting, I testified on behalf of our community about the many concerns I had regarding the GPS and GPS Plus diploma proposal. The initial diploma proposal was the most extreme change to our educational system that I have seen during my time in the General Assembly. Year after year, schools are forced to adjust to new reforms without a chance to adjust to the previous changes. 

“While parts of the proposal appear to be a step in the right direction, this updated diploma proposal remains a major change that high school students, educators and counselors must adjust to. However, there is an increase in the academic rigor of the requirements, putting students who wish to go to college on track to remain competitive in the admissions process.

“There are still many unanswered questions about the work-based learning requirements. For example, who will pay for student transportation? How will school counselors handle the increase in workload in the midst of a counselor shortage? At the end of the day, this is an unfunded mandate that will unfairly burden our chronically underfunded public schools. 

“I am glad that the SBOE listened to the input of all the educators, students, parents and stakeholders who came to testify or submitted feedback online. I am cautiously optimistic about the direction in which the proposal is moving, but there are still many concerns that have yet to be addressed. I want to thank my constituents for sharing their concerns during this process. I eagerly anticipate the official proposal and the next public comment period.”

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.