On Wednesday, the Indiana State Board of Education(SBOE) approved several new graduation pathways for Hoosier high school students beginning with the 2019 freshman class.
Though these changes have been a topic of contention lately, the Board states that they were designed to give all students the skills and experiences they will need to take the next step in their educational journeys and to secure good jobs.
The pathways were developed by the Graduation Pathways Panel, a subcommittee of the State Board of Education. They gathered input from hundreds of stakeholders during 30 combined hours of discussion over the past year.
According to a SBOE press release, beyond earning a high school diploma, the pathways outline several options for students to gain and demonstrate academic and employability skills that ensure they are ready for their next step, whether that’s the military, industry training, college or a career.
School officials across the state have expressed concern about these requirements, fearing a sufficient amount of resources are not available to implement them immediately. State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Jennifer McCormick, released a statement claiming that while she was disappointed in the vote, she is extremely proud of her K-12 colleagues. She said it is clear that Indiana educators are committed to being part of a solution to workforce and higher education concerns.
McCormick said The Department of Education will continue to collaborate with those who deal with students on a daily basis and working with legislators to successfully implement the Graduation Pathways in accordance with public input.
If you wish to view the graduation pathways in greater detail, follow this link: Indiana State Board of Education Grad Pathways.
