State lawmakers want to help ensure more students leave high school prepared for college classes by moving remediation out of higher education.
The Senate Education Committee heard testimony Wednesday that 31% of Hoosiers students who graduated high school in 2010 and went on to a public college or university required remediation.
Ivy Tech Vice President Jeff Terp says students who have to take remedial classes aren’t likely to continue.
“The number one obstacle for a student completing an associate degree at Ivy Tech, completing a technical certificate like Senator Kenley was asking about or transferring to another institution…the number one obstacle is remediation.”
Proposed legislation would require high school officials to identify 11th graders who are likely to fail the graduation exam or require remedial classes. Those students would then have to pass a college or career readiness exam or take additional classes their senior year, eliminating the need for remediation in college.
Northwest Allen County Schools Superintendent Chris Himsel says while he supports the idea, he’s worried about cost.
“I’m scared to death on what’s going to happen with our current graduating class when they get to the seniors because it’s the first group that will have went all four years under the budget cuts that occurred that took away resources.”
The committee is expected to vote on the bill as early as next week. If it passes, it will likely go to the Senate Appropriations committee.
