Yager: State Board Not Ready To Approve Diplomas
Yesterday, we informed you that the State Board of Education will vote on new high school diploma recommendations at their meeting Wednesday.
State Board of Education member Steve Yager. (Photo Credit: Rachel Morello/StateImpact Indiana)
But Tuesday morning, one board member Steve Yager submitted a resolution that, if approved, would send these diplomas back to the drawing board.
During the process of gathering input and public comment on the proposed changes, board members have expressed differing opinions on a number of items that would change.
As a result, board member Steve Yager submitted a resolution asking that his colleagues return the recommendations to the group that developed them. He’s hoping the Core 40 Subcommittee will reconsider the following changes:
- Provide draft course descriptions for courses including Math 10, Quantitative Reasoning, Applied Math, and Personal Financial Responsibility
- Redefine the term “College and Career Readiness Focus” to better reflect the goal of directed electives, while maintaining the academic flexibility of students
- Rename the “College and Career Ready” and “Workforce Ready” diplomas so not to label or limit future educational and career options of students
- Define the “graduation capstone” requirement in a manner to provide maximum flexibility to local districts and to account for current local practices
- Reinstate the option of a “general diploma”
- Provide an operational and fiscal impact analysis of the proposed changes to Indiana high schools
Yager isn’t the only board member who has expressed his dissatisfaction with the recommendations the way they stand for vote come Wednesday. Gordon Hendry took to Twitter Monday night to voice his concern:
#INSBOE: I will not support the proposed diplomas @ Wed mtg; need to go back to drawing board esp re languages, fine arts, spec ed & honors
— Gordon Hendry (@GordonHendry) November 3, 2015
The board must take action on the proposed diploma items by Dec. 1. Interested viewers can watch the board meeting online beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday.