Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Curriculum Diploma topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board outlines rollout for new Indiana diploma requirements; reading curriculum review to include public input
Summary
District administrators briefed the MSD Wabash County Schools board on Indiana’s new high school diploma requirements and outlined a public review process for two finalist reading curricula, with public access beginning Feb. 11.
District administrators briefed the board on the state’s new high school diploma framework and said the district will require graduating students to earn 42 credits under the new rules while encouraging each student to pursue an earned diploma “seal” (enrollment, employment or enlistment) to preserve post-graduation options.
Administration explained that the law increases some subject-credit totals (for example, science/STEM-related credits) and that several definitions and implementation rules remain subject to Indiana Department of Education guidance. The presentation noted that some legal phrases (for example, “STEM-focused credits”) do not yet have Department of Education implementation guidance, and administrators said the district will await formal DOE definitions before finalizing local course catalog mappings.
Superintendent Mike Kiefer and other administrators told the board the district intends to ask incoming freshmen to select an initial preferred pathway and will encourage students toward the enrollment-focused option where possible because the transcript record and seal pathways are designed to preserve postsecondary choices. The board was told the district already offers or is prepared to offer many required elements: personal finance and a “preparing for college and careers” course; next year’s freshmen will be required to take a semester of computer science, and staff training is underway so Northfield and Southwood can offer the course.
The administration also reviewed the district’s plan for selecting a new K–5 reading curriculum. Two finalists will be presented for parent and public review on Feb. 11; the district plans a public review window of at least four weeks (administration said it may be closer to six weeks in practice) and will make materials available digitally and on request at schools. The board emphasized that parents may request paper copies or contact the superintendent, principals or board president to view materials.
Administrators said they will return to the board in March with a recommendation after public review and committee consideration. Board members asked that the district provide accessible access to the materials (digital and paper) and said the district should proactively notify parents and teachers about the review period.
