INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana's congressional delegation has asked for a waiver from the implementation of the new federal formula for high school graduation.
Without the waiver, about 275 Indiana high schools would see graduation rates drop and not meet federal standards, Indiana Department of Education officials said. In turn, that could affect federal Title 1 funding, which provides assistance geared to low-income families, officials said.
The waiver request was reportedly led by U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, a Republican from northeast Indiana's District 3, and accompanied by a letter signed by U.S. Sens. Joe Donnelly and Todd Young and all nine U.S. representatives from the state.
The letter specifically asks Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to pause implementation of the new high school graduation rate formula brought about by guidelines of the Every Student Succeeds Act.
ESSA is replacing the No Child Left Behind Act.
On Monday, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb signed Indiana's plan to implement ESSA and forwarded the document to the U.S. Department of Education. The plan submission deadline was Sept. 18.
The federal department recently informed the state that high school “general diploma” recipients will no longer count towards the state’s official graduation rate. That could result in about 275 schools seeing their graduation rates drop.
The state isn't criticizing the plan but is asking for time to implement the change.
Previously, the federal government allowed Indiana to count students who choose the “general diploma” and the “regular diploma" tracks in its high school graduation rate.
The change in definition would have dropped Indiana’s high school graduation rate from 89 percent to 76 percent in 2016.
“This sudden and swift change in definition could have a significant negative impact on Hoosier families,” Banks said in a statement. “Indiana should be given time to adjust to the new guidance to avoid the negative economic and educational consequences associated with a sudden and steep drop in high school graduation rates.
All members of the Indiana delegation are committed to finding a solution, and I am hopeful that the Department of Education will work with us.”
The letter asks that current high school juniors and seniors be allowed to complete their general diplomas to give the state time to adjust to the new definition.
The letter also notes that Indiana can't change policy adjustments without authorization by the Indiana General Assembly, which won't meet again until 2018.
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