Indiana postsecondary institutions express concerns over high school diploma redesign proposal

INDIANAPOLIS — In the past several weeks, several Indiana postsecondary institutions have submitted letters to the Indiana Department of Education and the Indiana Commission of Higher Education containing recommendations regarding the ongoing overhaul of the state’s high school diploma requirements.

”They were right on point with what I heard from several constituents in my own district,” State Sen. Yoder (D-Bloomington) said of Purdue University’s letter, which stated the proposed new diplomas do not meet Purdue’s admission standards.

“When our big schools and universities like Purdue and IU speak out, we should really take that into consideration,” State Sen. J.D. Ford (D-Indianapolis) said.

This stems from a bill the General Assembly passed this year allowing the IDOE to redesign state high school diploma requirements. However, after hearing concerns from parents, educators, and students, several Indiana Senate Democrats said the IDOE’s current proposal is not at all what they had hoped for.

”I just never anticipated that from my vote until today that we would have all of this going on,” Sen. Ford said.

Both Sen. Ford and Sen. Yoder sent a joint letter to the IDOE this week asking the department to pump the brakes on the proposal.

”The first thing we’ve heard from our constituents is, ‘Why are we doing this? Why does it seem like it’s being rushed and so fast?’” Sen. Ford said.

”Something so significant needs experts, research, and time to be able to roll this out,” Sen. Yoder said.

A letter from IU President Pamela Whitten reads in part:

“…It is imperative that all students who plan to (or may want to) attend college receive adequate preparation for higher education…”

Another letter from Indiana State University President Mike Godard reads in part:

“…If students are less prepared, they’ll require remediation, which is costly for us and their families…”

A letter from Aaron Trump, the University of Southern Indiana’s vice president for government affairs, acknowledged giving students “flexibility” and more opportunities is a commendable effort, but goes on to say:

“…The proposed GPS diplomas…do not appear to be able to achieve these goals and may have the unintended consequence of the opposite effect…”

”[These institutions] are basically looking at the criteria to how they’re going to admit their students, and they’re seeing a huge gap here,” Sen. Ford said.

Both Sen. Ford and Sen. Yoder said the IDOE is required by statute to finalize its draft proposal by December.

”That does not preclude us from coming back in January to do what we need to do to, maybe halt or fix this particular issue,” Sen. Ford said.

In separate statements to FOX59/CBS4, both the IDOE and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education said they will continue to work together to craft the second draft proposal, which is expected to be released next month.

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