As Chair of the Senate Committee on Education and Career Development, part of my job is making sure Indiana creates an educational environment where Hoosier students are getting the most out of their high school education and being set up for future success once they graduate.
One way to ensure our students are prepared for life post-graduation is providing them the opportunity to receive college credit while they’re still in high school. Through Senate Republicans' work on Indiana's College Core program, students can earn college credits at little to no cost and save time and money by not having to take those courses in college.
In 2014, only 34 kids were enrolled in the College Core program, but by 2024, the program had 3,275 students, with that number growing. This year, a record 328 schools are offering the College Core program, meaning it is accessible to 78% of students.
Thanks to these efforts, Indiana now ranks No. 1 in the nation in terms of students completing at least one college course in high school, according to a recent report.
But we are not just focusing on higher education. We know college is not for everyone, which is why my colleagues and I have worked hard to ensure students have access to post-secondary credentials in industries like welding and healthcare. In 2024 alone, students earned 3,416 post-secondary credentials.
A high school diploma shouldn’t be just another box to check off. Students should receive a meaningful high school education that sets them up for long-term success. That is what we are doing here in Indiana, and we will continue to set an example for other states to follow.
As always, I encourage constituents to reach out to me with any questions or concerns by filling out a "Contact Me" form on the IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Raatz website or by calling my office at 800-382-9467.
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State Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond) represents Senate District 27, which includes
Henry, Union and Wayne counties, and portions of Franklin County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
