(Adobe Stock)
As the state refines its new diploma requirements with a greater interest in incorporating work-based learning, business interest groups are generally supportive of its direction so far, applauding the balance of college and workplace ready requirements.
Some community-focused organizations are wary, though, that this proposal could result in compounding socioeconomic disparities and funneling students into lower-paying jobs
The Indiana Department of Education unveiled its revamped proposal Wednesday morning, simplifying the options and addressing the concerns of skeptical Hoosier university leaders who said an earlier iteration wouldn’t allow Indiana high school grads to meet college admission requirements.
The plan now includes a baseline 42-credit diploma. Students can elect to earn one or multiple “readiness seals” for enrollment, employment and enlistment, which seek to start preparing students for a career path earlier. Those badges can be upgraded with an honors distinction.
Many stakeholders and interest groups consider this refreshed proposal a welcome improvement after an initial proposal triggered an uproar over student readiness and several universities said neither proposed diploma would satisfy its admission requirements.
“In comparison to the initial proposal, this draft is a step forward in the right direction,” said Jason Bearce, the Indiana Chamber’s vice president of education and workforce development. “It might benefit from some further simplification, so there’s not quite so much complexity in terms of helping students figure out which of these things they need.”
Excitement for more opportunities
The new proposal, Bearce said, improves on the goals: simplification, career relevance and rigor. Injecting flexibility and intentionality will continue to be a priority, he said, to make sure students can move between tracks and know that’s possible.
The seals were described as a “blueprint for success” by Secretary of Education Katie Jenner.
The state chamber has been involved in conversations with other agencies and stakeholders to develop the standards for the employment seal. New requirements would begin for the Class of 2029.
“Ideally they’re going to have some kind of employability, work ethic competencies, demonstrating that they finished what they start, they’ve done well in school attendance,” he said. “Things of that nature, in my view, regardless of which path students go down, those are all equally necessary and relevant skills to be equipped for what comes next.”
Paul Peaper, president of the Indiana Health Care Association, said he appreciates the state looking at enhancing the diploma system since it could result in more kids entering long-term care careers.
The organization’s members are eager for any solutions that could increase their talent pipeline, Peaper said. And a diploma that awards more credit for work-based learning would have that potential, he said.
Some members are already engaging students through similar work-based opportunities, Peaper said, but bringing up the conversation through diploma requirements has prompted more companies to think about what potential programs could look like.
“We’ve got already some members that have done that, but it’s been more one-to-one, where it’s reaching out, finding that local school or that township that is supportive of these fostering their own program,” he said. “Hopeful that a statewide diploma would make programs like that easier to replicate and grow statewide.”
Initial employment can turn into opportunities for higher education, he said. Within 10 years, he said, students can go from being trained as entry-level care coordinators to community administrators with a company paying for higher education to become registered nurses.
The new diploma system is less about defining a student’s path earlier, Ascend Indiana President and CEO Brad Rhorer said, and more about giving them opportunities to discover and investigate whether a career is right for them earlier.
“One thing that has been said by every industry partner is this is not an ‘or’ situation,” Rhorer said. “They feel strongly that there’s a need for post-secondary education and post-secondary graduates … but there’s also a need for work-based learning.”
Worries about wages
While many employers welcome the opportunity for work-based learning, some community groups are urging caution.
Andrew Bradley of Prosperity Indiana warned that the employment-ready track may end up channeling kids into low-paying jobs. He pointed to a recent study conducted by his organization that found 14 of Indiana’s 20 most common occupations pay under $22.07 per hour.
Bradley said he worries that while a work-based track may alleviate staffing shortages for some employers, students would be locked into jobs that cause them to be housing insecure.
“It gets to this dilemma of if only a small subset of Indiana’s jobs are going to be able to provide for basic needs, then we’re really telling the vast majority of students that you’re never going to have an economically secure life, and your family and your children aren’t going to either,” he said.
Sam Snideman, vice president of government relations at the United Way of Central Indiana, said it’s important to consider many students without proper resources “have been left behind for a long time.” He said there needs to be resources and programming available to let students know that all the options are available.
“We have to figure out, from both the employment and enlistment side, how we make sure that it is not just low-income kids that are tracked into these spaces,” he said. “We have to be super thoughtful about making sure that kids are not sort of shuttled into spaces because they represent the easiest path if we’re serious about developing the human capital of our state.”
It makes sense to have different career pathways and it’s possible to have an economically secure life without college, Bradley said. But, he continues, there needs to be a robust ecosystem of good wages and quality jobs to support it.
He wants to see this effort wrapped into a comprehensive community development plan that ensures that housing, financial security and job opportunities are sustainable.
“Education requirements should really be part of a more comprehensive community and economic development strategy for the state to make sure that all of our communities and all of our Hoosier families have an opportunity to thrive,” he said.
More to go
Stakeholders say the most recent diploma proposal shows that the Department of Education is listening and is reflecting the over 8,000 comments submitted during the first public feedback period.
The new proposal will go through a similar public comment collection period for 30 days. It’s not yet open.
The proposal is still fresh, Bearce said, so the state chamber hasn’t fully vetted their members’ reactions yet. However, he said Wednesday’s update addressed previously voiced desires for simplicity and clarity for students and the balance between college prep and workforce-ready training.
Over the next few months, he said the chamber will work with as many businesses and members as possible to educate them on the proposal and receive their feedback to pass on to the Department of Education. Ascend Indiana will also relay feedback, Rhorer said.
“Our industry partners are always in the mindset of continuous improvement in everything that we do,” Rhorer said. “This really kind of doubles down on continuous improvement by thinking about how can we continue to make things better and provide more and more opportunities.”