State Supt., Lt. Gov. speak out about dual credit woes

With Indiana facing a new rules that would gut its dual credit offerings in Hoosier high schools, State Superintendent of Public Instruction and Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann spoke out Thursday to Higher Learning Commission.

The HLC is a regional accreditation group that has put in place new rules requiring some teachers to secure more college credit to teach dual credit classes. Few teachers meet the new rules, and administrators across the state have decried the move.

The rules are set to go into effect in September 2017.

"Dual credit courses are critical to achieving Indiana’s goal of 60% of our workforce having postsecondary degrees or certifications by 2025," Ellspermann said. "We are concerned about any requirements that would limit our abilities to provide dual credit classes to all Hoosier high school students given the successful results of those dual credit courses with our current teacher requirements. HLC’s own report ranked Indiana second highest in the nation with respect to the factors that promote quality dual credit courses.”

Ritz and Ellspermann issued a joint statement.