We Need Your Help TODAY to Delay Controversial Diploma Changes at State Board Tomorrow
11/03/2015

 

The State Board of Education is taking action tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 4, on a controversial new high school diploma proposal that would be implemented in the 2018 – 19 school year.

 

This may be the last opportunity to urge board members to put the brakes on this unfinished product to allow further vetting on some major changes to Indiana diplomas offerings.

 

To date, public testimony from a wide range of stakeholders—including parents, educators, school leaders and professional associations—presented a clear message. These new diplomas will likely narrow the curriculum and decrease the variety of educational opportunities available to students. Not a single public comment favored the proposal as drafted.

 

Subjects that would be most greatly impacted include fine arts, physical education, special education and world languages. These areas of the curriculum are vital to developing well-rounded citizens and creative thinkers. Often, they are also alternative springboards to learning for students challenged by traditional learning methods. The public educational experience must go beyond being a pipeline to the workforce—in fact, our constitution recognizes this—and the proposed diplomas appear to lack the full spectrum of learning.

 

Further, without an offering of a general education diploma, the new requirements could weaken post-high school options for students who require an individualized education program. The certificate of completion, while still an option, is not sufficient for most employers.

 

While the proposed diplomas are a good start to the conversation, they are far from a final product. Quicker is not always better, and more work must be done to properly design and vet changes that will have a substantial impact on learning opportunities for all Hoosier students.

There is no law requiring new diplomas—no legislative urgency requiring action this week or next.

 

Please urge State Board members to delay any further action in this matter until all constituencies are satisfied that the interests of their children are reasonably being met.