McCormick: High school redesign can work when educators and parents are involved in the process

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Today’s plan closely tracks with McCormick’s 2019 vision

August 14, 2024

Contact: Kelly Wittman, (317) 450-5711

McCormick for Governor

press@mccormickforgov.com

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.—Today, the Indiana State Department of Education presented yet another version of its redesign for Indiana’s high school diploma requirements. This proposal more closely resembles one put forth in 2019 by Jennifer McCormick, the last elected state Superintendent of Public Instruction, when the supermajority last revised the high school diploma requirements and disrupted educator practices.

“I’m heartened to see Indiana’s State Board of Education finally listen to Hoosier educators, parents, professional associations, and business partners to bring high school diploma requirements closer to what I proposed as Superintendent of Public Instruction almost five years ago,” said Indiana Democratic nominee for Governor Jennifer McCormick. “Hoosier students deserve broader opportunities, not narrower pathways. The supermajority has demonstrated its inability to put aside partisan politics and listen to Hoosiers so intentional policy can be enacted that does right by our students. It only took this supermajority five years to catch up with what our team at the Department of Education proposed in 2019. It’s common sense to let teachers teach, and students learn and succeed to their highest capacity.” 

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McCormick’s plan in 2019 proposed one diploma with two paths that each held students to rigorous and competitive expectations while ensuring an educational experience that provided for the exploration of interests and pursuit of intentional opportunities. It also promoted a well-rounded educational experience that exposed students to new and different ideas so they might learn the importance of being productive members of a global society. This plan was developed in response to the graduation pathways diploma requirements finalized in 2018 and aimed to streamline the high school experience, raise expectations, maximize programs that work, and provide flexibility to develop new opportunities tailored to meet individual student needs. While this plan was ignored by policymakers, including current state board members and leaders from the General Assembly, it clearly left an impression. Dr. McCormick recognizes the novel idea of diploma seals for enrollment, enlistment, and employment as an addition to her 2019 proposal.

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About Jennifer McCormick: Jennifer McCormick is a lifelong educator and fifth-generation Hoosier from New Castle, Indiana. She has spent decades serving Indiana as a teacher, principal, and most recently, state superintendent of public instruction. While superintendent in rural Indiana, Jennifer fought to protect local control of school districts to ensure parents, teachers, and administrators could make the best decisions for their children. As state superintendent, she was a powerful advocate for teachers and students, ensuring they had the resources they needed to succeed while protecting taxpayer dollars by demanding transparency and fiscal accountability. Jennifer believes it's time we elect a public servant leader who empowers Hoosier voices so that together, we can make Indiana an attractive state in which to live, work, and thrive.

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About Terry Goodin: Terry Goodin most recently served as the State Director for Rural Development with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a role that exemplified his commitment to improving the lives of rural Hoosiers. Prior to his work with the USDA, Terry served as a public school educator. His administrative endeavors began as an assistant principal and teacher at Austin High School, followed by serving as assistant principal with Bloomington High School South. Terry spent 24 years as a Public School Superintendent at Crothersville Community Schools. Elected in 2000, he served 20 years in the Indiana House of Representatives and was chosen by his colleagues as the House Minority Leader in 2017. As a member of the Indiana General Assembly, Terry committed his time to creating better opportunities for Indiana through educational, agricultural, and rural development initiatives and was a staunch advocate for the expansion of Broadband connectivity. 

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