House District 94 update for the week of 7/25/24
Five Major Issues with Indiana Republicans' High School Diploma Proposal
Earlier this year, Gov. Holcomb’s administration proposed a new high school diploma framework called the “GPS Diploma” and “GPS Diploma Plus.” I have major concerns with the GPS Diploma framework, which I have detailed below.
Parents and community members have until July 30 to provide comments on the current diploma proposal to the Indiana Department of Education. I urge you to submit your thoughts so that your input on this proposal that will shape the future of education in Indiana is considered. The comment link is available here.
#1 Required Job Placements
The Indiana GOP’s proposed high school diploma plan introduces mandatory work requirements for students, forcing them to balance academics with employment and job shadowing either during school hours, after school or both. Students shouldn’t have to worry about how to manage their academics alongside work obligations and participation in extracurricular activities just to complete their high school degree. (Yes, extracurricular involvement is also a mandatory part of this proposed degree.) Workplace minimum age requirements, coupled with limited job placement opportunities and challenges related to transportation, further complicate the situation. Students should have one focus: being students and excelling in their classes. The work requirement component of the GPS Diploma plan risks students’ educational outcomes and overall well-being.
While it’s great that many Hoosiers students go above and beyond to participate in jobs and internships during high school, other students may still be finding their way or simply limited by their families’ financial means. Students should be encouraged to pursue these opportunities, but their graduation should not hinge on it.
#2 Counselor Shortage and Burdensome Additional Requirements
The implementation of Indiana’s new high school diploma worsens the already-significant shortage of school counselors, increasing the existing challenges within our education system. Indiana currently ranks worst in the country, with a student-to-counselor ratio of 694 to 1.
These diplomas come with an increased workload for counselors, including keeping record of extracurricular attendance and helping students organize external job shadowing and internships. But schools will receive no additional funding to hire additional counselors so they can fully implement the diploma curriculum, even though a fiscal analysis of the proposed requirements showed that there would be immense additional costs associated with these changes. Under-resourced counselors will almost certainly struggle with the additional workload of guiding students through the complexities of the new diploma framework.
#3 Fast Timeline
The IDOE’s accelerated timeline for implementing the new diplomas has raised understandable apprehension among stakeholders. Critical questions regarding curriculum changes, graduation requirements, and the overall impact on students’ educational experiences remain unanswered. The accelerated timeline feels like the IDOE is building the plane while flying it… and Hoosier students and parents are on it.
#4 Admission Standards at Indiana’s Public Universities
Preparing students to enter careers and apprenticeships immediately following high school graduation is a good thing, but the proposed diploma requirements have overcorrected to the point that students who logically follow the diploma requirements will not meet current admissions standards for many of our in-state universities. This new approach will disadvantage Indiana graduates seeking admission to competitive in-state universities that seek a well-rounded academic background and holistic skill sets from applicants.
This need not be a zero-sum game: We can have high school degrees that both prepare students for paths to college and the trades.
#5 Indiana Will Fail to Compete with Other States
The new diploma proposal completely undermines the state's ability to compete nationally and globally. By narrowing our education focus to workforce training, Indiana risks neglecting the development of critical thinking, creativity and cross-cultural understanding necessary for success in an interconnected world. This unbalanced approach will leave graduates less prepared to navigate competitive job markets and pursue wide-ranging career opportunities, placing them at a disadvantage compared to their peers from states with more comprehensive high school degrees. We need to ensure our degree framework creates well-rounded citizens – not just “employees.”
Again, the State Board of Education is accepting public comment on this proposal through the end of the month. I urge you to submit your concerns using the form linked here.
Vice President Kamala Harris visits Indianapolis
I had the opportunity to hear Vice President Kamala Harris speak this Wednesday at the Zeta Phi Beta convention. It was such an honor to welcome the Vice President to the great city of Indianapolis at this wonderful gathering.
IBLC Town Hall in Fort Wayne
Last weekend, the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus travelled to Fort Wayne for the latest stop in our town hall series. At these public events, members of the IBLC share information about the laws that passed during the 2024 legislative session of the Indiana General Assembly. Hoosiers also have an opportunity to provide feedback and input on the next session’s legislative priorities. I’d like to give a big thank you to Mayor Sharon Tucker, the first Black mayor of Fort Wayne, for joining us to discuss issues that impact Black Hoosiers in this community.
The next stop on the IBLC townhall series is in Gary on August 17. The event will take place at the IU Northwest Savannah Center Bergland Auditorium (65 W 33rd Ave, Gary, IN 46408) from 11 - 1 p.m. CT (or 12 - 2 p.m. ET).
Black Business Month Networking Mixer
On Thursday, August 1, Indy Biz Pass is hosting a networking mixer to celebrate the start of Black Business Month. The event will take place at P30 coworking space (3039 N Post Road) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. While Black-owned businesses have seen significant growth over the last few years, Black Americans are still vastly underrepresented in the business-owner community. Don’t miss out on this gathering of over 75 Black business owners ready to network and share their insights! Visit the link here for more information or to register today.
Military Family Relief Fund Back to School Program
Hoosier military veterans with dependent children may qualify for assistance with back to school supplies and other expenses for K-12 and college students. I encourage all who are eligible to apply for this program. Applications are open from July 15 to August 30! Click here for more details!
Free Legal Clinic
Next Saturday, August 3, the Indianapolis Bar Association will be holding a free legal clinic from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Indianapolis Public Library Central Location in the Riley, Knall & Goodrich Houk Meetings Rooms. The clinic will help with eviction sealing, criminal expungement and applying for U.S. Citizenship.
Eagledale July Activities
CenterWell Eagledale Senior Primary Care has a variety of events planned for the month of July! See the calendar below for the full list of activities. To RSVP or for additional information, call Athena Salisbury at 317-625-8356. The location is 4525 Lafayette Road.
Indianapolis Children’s Museum to host Mandela exhibit
From the end of June to January 2025, the Indianapolis Children’s Museum is hosting Mandela: The Official Exhibition. Nelson Mandela was an activist, lawyer and politician in South Africa from the 1950s to the 2010s. Mandela was the first president elected in a fully representative, democratic election and he was the first black head of state.
Nelson Mandela first achieved national attention as an anti-apartheid activist. Apartheid was South Africa’s system of institutionalized racial segregation. It was similar to Jim Crowe laws in the Southern United States. However, South Africa’s apartheid system lasted until 1994. Mandela was instrumental in tearing down this system of racism and inequality.
I encourage you to visit the Indianapolis Children’s Museum and see the exhibit dedicated to this famous freedom fighter. For more information, you can visit childrensmuseum.org/exhibits/mandela.
