On Wednesday, Governor Eric Holcomb and Indiana Public School Superintendent Jennifer McCormick announced all K-12 schools will remain closed and provide remote learning for the remainder of the school year.
During Wednesday’s briefing, McCormick said high school seniors on track to graduate when facilities closed March 19 will be provided with the flexibility they need to earn an Indiana diploma. The Indiana public schools leader said high school seniors enrolled in the second semester will get credit toward graduation. Local districts would determine if middle schoolers and other high schoolers will earn credits.
McCormick said that the state will help school districts with remote learning plans and address “at risk” students. (Photo provided)
School districts will be required by April 17 to submit “a continuous learning plan.” McCormick later added that these learning plans will address issues that districts are facing, and the state can then find ways to help districts in remote learning, addressing students “at risk,” and other matters.
McCormick said local districts will have to be creative and review options on what graduation ceremonies look like for high school seniors.
Hamilton Heights Superintended Dr. Derrick Arrowood, in a letter to his staff, said, “I know this news is not a surprise given the gravity of the current situation. There is strong evidence to support the effectiveness of school closures as a means to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and the reality is that these closures may be longer than expected, or imagined.”
Following Governor Holcomb’s announcement, Westfield Washington Schools issued a statement saying, “This news brings great sadness to our teachers and students who were planning to finish the school year together. This is not how we envisioned the end of our school year, however these unprecedented times demand our flexibility, understanding, and patience. This is certainly a learning moment for all of us.”
The Governor’s order also forces the cancellation of all spring high school athletics.