INDIANAPOLIS — State officials are taking a fresh look at who can earn college‑level credit while still in high school. The Indiana Commission for Higher Education released a Request for Information Thursday, asking educators, employers and community leaders for ideas on expanding the Indiana College Core and career‑technical dual‑credit programs.
Why the review matters
Indiana already leads the nation in the percentage of high‑school students taking at least one college course, but many stop short of completing a full credential. The new high‑school diploma system, which adds seal awards for college and career preparation, makes it essential to align early‑college opportunities with those seals.
Current reach of the College Core
The Indiana College Core is a 30‑credit package of general‑education courses that transfer seamlessly among the state’s public colleges and many private schools. Students who finish the Core in high school can enter college with roughly a year of coursework already completed.
At the start of the 2025‑26 school year, 312 high schools offered the Core; the commission now reports that number has risen to 328. Still, about 22 % of Indiana students attend a high school where the Core is not available, leaving a notable access gap.
Barriers identified
Assistant Commissioner Sam Rourke highlighted two major obstacles: enrollment size and teacher qualifications. Some schools lack enough interested students to justify a dual‑credit class, while others cannot find teachers who hold the credentials required to teach college‑level material.
These challenges disproportionately affect smaller schools and districts that cannot field a broad slate of dual‑credit offerings.
Potential solutions
The commission’s review will focus on practical ways to overcome those hurdles, not merely on adding more courses on paper. Proposed actions include increasing the pool of qualified instructors, improving coordination between high schools and colleges, and leveraging existing career‑technical programs to count toward college credit.
Education Secretary Katie Jenner, directed by lawmakers, will compile the feedback and present recommendations before the next legislative session. Her office emphasizes that providing no‑cost early college credit is a key step toward making higher education more affordable and improving long‑term outcomes for Indiana families.
Impact on students and families
Beyond the academic advantage, earning college credit in high school can reduce the total cost and time required to complete a postsecondary credential. The broader diploma redesign also offers multiple pathways—college, employment, or military service—through various seal awards, including the Enrollment Honors Plus Seal, Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction, Cambridge AICE, and International Baccalaureate diplomas.
By aligning early‑college opportunities with these seals, Indiana hopes to give every student a clearer, more affordable route to higher education or a recognized career credential.
Next steps
Secretary Jenner is expected to submit the review’s findings later this year, giving lawmakers data to shape future policy and funding decisions. Families, educators and community partners are encouraged to submit their ideas through the commission’s request for information.
Original reporting: WOWO News/Talk (Fort Wayne) — read the source article.
