The Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE) announced Thursday it is seeking information to improve accessibility to career technical classes and the Indiana College Core for high school students across the state. This initiative aims to increase the number of Hoosier students earning college credits or career certifications before graduating high school, aligning with state goals to enhance educational attainment and affordability.
Indiana currently leads the nation in the percentage of students completing at least one college class during high school. However, state officials noted that many students often fall just one or two classes short of earning a full credential by graduation. Additionally, some students are currently receiving only high school credit for career technical classes when dual-college credits for the same courses are available, representing a missed opportunity for early college advancement.
The Indiana College Core is a standardized block of 30 dual-credit classes designed to transfer easily toward a college diploma. Students who successfully complete this entire block earn the equivalent of a full year of college credits at minimal cost. Beyond the financial benefit, finishing the Indiana College Core also satisfies the credential requirement for Indiana’s new Enrollment Honors Plus diploma seal. This seal, in turn, grants students automatic acceptance to all public universities in Indiana and a variety of private institutions.
Despite the significant advantages, the Indiana College Core is not uniformly available across all high schools. The commission found that while 328 Indiana high schools partner with colleges and universities to offer dual-credit, dual enrollment, and online classes at little to no cost, 22% of Hoosier students attend a high school where the Indiana College Core is not offered. Sam Rourke, assistant commissioner for career and technical education, attributed this disparity primarily to insufficient enrollment or a limited availability of teachers certified to teach dual-credit courses.
Lawmakers previously directed Education Secretary Katie Jenner to conduct an assessment of dual-credit, career technical, and advanced placement offerings. This assessment, due before the next legislative session, seeks to better align the state’s $30 million early college investment with its recently introduced high school diploma seals.
Secretary Jenner emphasized the importance of this work in a statement Thursday. She noted, "When we consider how we can make higher education more affordable and increase educational attainment, we have an incredible opportunity to expand access to high-quality early college credit for every high school student." Jenner further added that providing "no-cost early college credit is an essential step" in helping more students find the right path and improving their long-term outcomes.
The Indiana Commission for Higher Education will review proposals submitted in response to its Request for Information over the coming months. A comprehensive report from Education Secretary Katie Jenner detailing findings and recommendations is expected later this year. This effort seeks to remove existing barriers and ensure more students across the Wabash Valley and the entire state can benefit from early college opportunities.
