Indiana education leaders are moving toward the final draft of a new K-12 state-required point-based accountability system that’s less reliant on test scores and is more centered on student success.
“What makes this proposed accountability model so transformational is the intentional focus on each student’s individual needs and unique path,” said Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education during Wednesday’s State Board of Education meeting.
Ron Sandlin, chief innovation officer for the Indiana Department of Education, presented the second draft recommendations and written public comments can be given until Nov. 17.
That day, the state board will hold a final public hearing at 11 a.m. (EST) at the Indiana State Library.
The state board was tasked by the General Assembly to develop the new accountability model by Dec. 31. It will go into effect in the 2026-27 school year.
The second draft is the result of input from educators, students, parents, community leaders, industry partners and other contributors. The draft drew 425 comments.
“I do anticipate a few tweaks here and there before we land it. Public comment is so important,” said Jenner.
Addressing the board, Cindy Long, executive director of the Indiana Association of School Principals, said the organization supports the draft.
She said it likes the grade 12 shift toward selected diploma seals and away from requiring the SAT.
She also said the new model also prevents attendance from being a limiting factor in grade 3, allowing other options for students to earn points.
Sandlin said the new model was aligned with Indiana’s new diploma standards which go into effect with the Class of 2029.
Along with test scores, students can earn points for career and postsecondary readiness and credentials, communication and collaboration, work ethic and civic, financial and digital literacy.
The draft identified those characteristics as being most important to a student’s lifelong success.
Students can rack up points even if they’re not a top test performer. Jenner said that shift didn’t come without pushback.
“A balance of people just want to focus on academic mastery, test, test, test…”
She said the new model stressed academic test mastery, but it’s not the only priority.
The second draft is intended to be transparent and easy for schools and parents to understand and it encourages schools to focus on improvement of each individual student, instead of the former aggregate model.
Each school’s letter grade will be based on the average points generated by all students.
Sandlin cited different examples of how students can still realize improvement and earn points even if they falter in one area.
“This focuses more on what kids can do, not what they can’t,” he said.
The new model represents a critical shift from what schools and students have experienced, Sandlin said.
Board member Byron Ernest hailed the new accountability model as “awesome,” and said the point breakdown will share insight about each student.
Board member Erika Dilosa, a special education official at Gary’s 21st Century Charter School, also liked the new model.
“It’s about opportunity to achieve and get more points rather than a punitive model. This new model is geared toward helping children achieve more…”
Board member Scott Bess said some critics feel the state was lowering expectations by reducing the impact of standardized test results.
“We’re going to get a lot of blowback from people with expertise in accountability systems. Standing firm is really important. Test scores are still there and in no way are we walking away from any of that.”
Jenner acknowledged she has twin daughters who perform differently on standardized tests and have different skill levels.
“We have to see the full picture,” she said.
She said there’s a movement in states around the country where they are lowering cut scores.
“Indiana is standing firm on our test scores. We have a tough assessment. We have held the line, we just believe there’s more to a child than if they pass or fail a test.”
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.