News Summary
Indiana has revealed an initial draft of a new K-12 school grading system, moving away from the traditional A-F grading method. The new model incorporates a variety of factors such as academic mastery, work ethic, and civic literacy to provide a more comprehensive assessment of school performance. This initiative aligns with the state’s ‘Graduates Prepared to Succeed’ initiative and is part of a law passed to enhance the evaluation of student growth and school quality. Public feedback is currently being accepted to refine the model ahead of its finalization by December 2025.
Indiana Introduces New K-12 School Accountability Model in First Draft
Indianapolis, Indiana—
Indiana education officials have unveiled the initial draft of a new school grading system aimed at replacing the longstanding A-F grading method used across K-12 schools in the state. This development marks a significant shift in how school performance is assessed within Indiana’s public education system.
The new grading model will consider multiple factors beyond standardized test scores. The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced the preliminary draft, which incorporates diverse elements to better reflect each student’s unique educational journey. This approach aims to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of school quality and student growth.
The transition to this new model fulfills requirements set by House Bill 1498, passed during the recent legislative session. The law mandates that the grading system be overhauled to include broader criteria, and the first draft must be finalized by December 2025. To gather community input, public hearings are scheduled, and a second draft is expected later this summer or early fall.
Key Characteristics and Evaluation Criteria
The proposed grading system is based on five characteristics, which are aligned with the state’s “Graduates Prepared to Succeed” initiative. These include:
- Academic mastery
- Work ethic, measured through attendance rates
- Career and postsecondary readiness
- Civic, financial, and digital literacy
- Communication and collaboration skills
Grades will be assigned on a scale from 0 to 100 points, with corresponding letter grades:
- A: 90-100 points
- B: 80-89 points
- C: 70-79 points
- D: 60-69 points
- F: 0-59 points
Schools will receive grades at various education checkpoints, including grades 3-8, 10th grade, and 12th grade.
Different Metrics for Varying Grade Levels
Elementary schools will be assessed based on English Language Arts (ELA) and Math performance, along with reading proficiency among third graders. Schools serving grades 4 through 6 will be evaluated on their performance in math, science, and social studies, as well as their annual academic progress.
High schools will undergo assessments factoring in SAT scores, graduation rates, work-based learning opportunities, and credentials earned by students. Additionally, the progress of English language learning students toward achieving language proficiency will be included in the evaluation process.
Community Feedback and Public Involvement
Currently, feedback from parents and community members is being accepted to inform the development of the model. A formal public comment period will begin later in the summer, providing additional opportunities for stakeholders to share input.
Educational Secretary Katie Jenner highlighted the importance of moving beyond a single assessment-based evaluation, emphasizing the need to focus on supporting individual student growth and the full scope of educational progress.
Development Process and Future Steps
The draft grading model has been crafted over more than a year with input from educators, parents, industry leaders, and community members. To ensure transparency and inclusiveness, a series of focus groups, public hearings, and additional review steps are planned as part of the finalization process.
The goal is to develop an accountability system that not only measures student achievement but also supports schools in fostering comprehensive development, better preparing students for future success.
Summary
Indiana’s new K-12 school accountability model represents a broadening of evaluation criteria to include multiple dimensions of student development and school effectiveness. The completion of the final model by December 2025 and subsequent public engagement efforts aim to establish a more holistic and fair assessment system for Indiana’s public schools.
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Additional Resources
- Inside Indiana Business: Indiana Is A Step Closer To A New Grading System For Schools
- Wikipedia: Education in Indiana
- Christian Science Monitor: Indiana High School Diploma and Workforce Skills
- Google Search: Indiana education system
- Fox59: Indiana Department of Education Releases First Draft of Updates
- Google Scholar: Indiana education policy
- IndyStar: Indiana Letter Grade School Grading Model
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- Indiana Capital Chronicle: Indiana Unveils First Draft of Overhauled School Accountability System
- Google News: Indiana school accountability
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