Pryor testifies on proposed diploma requirements

Today, July 30, the Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE) held another public hearing about the new, proposed high school diplomas: GPS Diploma and GPS Diploma Plus. The meeting allowed educators, parents, students and legislators to provide feedback on the new requirements.  

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement after testifying at the SBOE hearing: 

“Today, I expressed my concern for the new proposed changes to the high school diploma requirements. Since the Republicans took control of the legislature in 2010, we have had drastic changes to the education system year after year. This is one of the most drastic proposed changes I have seen. 

“These changes happen so frequently that teachers don’t have the time needed to adequately adjust to updated systems when a new change is implemented. Most importantly, how can we expect our students to adequately learn when we are constantly moving the goalpost? We cannot help our students if we keep moving the bar. It is not fair to judge teachers or blame parents for not being able to keep up with the yearly changes.

“Another major issue with this proposal is the unanswered question of where the funding will come from. Who is going to pay for the transportation required to get kids to apprenticeships or for the extensive background checks required to ensure our students are safe? Our public schools can barely fund themselves as is. We do not need to create additional hurdles.

“I want Indiana to grow, and this proposal discourages families and businesses from moving to Indiana. Who would want to send their child to a state where the high school degree does not meet admissions standards for the in-state universities, let alone out-of-state universities? Who would want to bring their business to Indiana when they will be forced to meet additional standards to employ high school students?

“We need to completely start over on this proposal with all stakeholders at the table. Any child that graduates from high school should be prepared for whatever path they choose to pursue. This proposal will fail our students.”