EDITORIAL: Education should adapt to the times
May 15—The Indiana Department of Education's proposal to create more flexible requirements for graduation is a boon to future high school students and aims to prepare students for options other than college.
The diploma is presented at commencement ceremonies with the state's current graduation pathways.
It would also reflect principles outlined in the Indiana Graduates Prepared to Succeed dashboard, which include career and postsecondary readiness, work ethic and financial literacy.
Under this proposal, students could pursue an Indiana GPS diploma — a more customized version of the current diploma — or an Indiana GPS Diploma Plus. The latter would require additional coursework to earn a specific vocational credential as well as a work-based learning experience.
Concern has been expressed that the proposal could contribute to an already significant decline in college enrollment in the state.
According to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, about 53% of the state's graduating seniors went straight to college in 2021, the lowest rate in at least 15 years.
However, if the college enrollment rate is declining, it makes sense to equip high school students with alternative paths to success. We should be more concerned with the graduation rate of college students.
If a student doesn't particularly want to go to college, it's counterproductive to push them into enrollment when they might drop out or get saddled with student loans and a degree they didn't want.
College is just one of several options for graduating seniors. Others include trade school, military service or joining the workforce.
Those working in trades are no less important than those working jobs that require higher education, and students — future workers — are important no matter their future aspirations.
