31

New year, new rules

STAFF Editor-in-Chief: Ellie Albin Web/News Editor: John Yun Features Editor: Ben McHenry Arts & Culture Editor: Kriten Rummel Sports Editor: Nate Albin Assistant Web/News Editor: Ben Grantonic Social Media Editor/Unity Director: Rebekah Shultz

Reporters Maria Galosi, Mason Gushwa-Williams, Fletcher Haltom, Ben Hamilton, Carter Hanefeld, Andrew Haughey, Ben Rosen, Sydney Territo, Lily Thomas, Emma Tomlinson

Principal Jason Urban Photographers Alex Craig, Ella Haan, Elissa Mitchell, Grace Vang

Adviser Kristine Brown

Associations IHSPA CSPA NSPA Quill and Scroll Printer: AIM Media

Indiana Department of Education updates the graduation standards for the class of 2023, on; may be a good thing

High school education has the potential to be more impactful than it has ever been.

That may seem to contradict the current environment, which is filled with AP courses, standardized tests, college admissions scandals and anxiety-ridden students. In fact, according to the American Psychological Association, students’ stress levels are so intense in the 21st century that it causes 35% of students to lie awake at night. It does not seem like a peaceful future lies ahead for 21st century students. But, there really is hope.

The new graduation requirements for the class of 2023 and on will hopefully change the sleep-deprived, sad and stressed students of today. We are not saying that the new requirements will instantly change the mental health of the 30% of students who, according to the APA, feel depressed because of their stress, but perhaps over time, it will.

The Indiana State Board of Education now requires the class of 2023 and on to have three items in order to graduate: a high school diploma, demonstration of employability skills and proof of post-secondary ready competencies, as seen on pages 10 and 11 While the last two may seem cryptic, they are actually easy to understand. Basically, Indiana wants kids to be ready for whatever they choose to do after high school.

The proof of post-secondary competencies portion of the requirements means students need to take and pass a test, such as the SAT or ACT (along with other options), receive an honors diploma or create a pathway to graduation that is approved by the school. However, the most intriguing aspect of the new graduation requirements is not the new flexibility with standardized testing; it is the demonstration of employability skills.

The employability requirement asks students to take on project-based learning, service-based learning or work-based learning. For example, working on the N the Red staff would be project-based learning. An example of work-based learning could be an internship, which is highly encouraged. “Defining a 21st century education” by Craig D. Jerald for the Center of Public Education in America utilized a study from cognitive scientists that revealed that even in the age of technology and the Internet, which gives instant answers, students still need to have a broad understanding of the world around them, which is something that cannot just be learned through high reading comprehension abilities. For example, one of the scientists’ studies compared a group of poor readers who were knowledgeable about baseball and a group of good readers who knew little about baseball. The kids who typically struggled in reading comprehended the text about baseball better than the kids who were considered good readers, demonstrating the value of real-world experience compared to simply relying on reading ability. This study reveals that students cannot just sit in classrooms, read textbooks and explore the Internet for answers, even if they have a high comprehension for information. Real-world experiences, such as internships, are valuable and prepare students for post-high school opportunities. All-in-all, of course, the new requirements might fail. Students are already complaining about it in the hallways. However, this change still has the potential to become more beneficial for students of different skills and passions.

A few fi nal thoughts...

While the new graduation requirements have the best intentions at heart, they fail to achieve what students need: a less stressful school environment. Now, I do like the idea of showing employable skills, but I feel like forcing college readiness on students will just continue to put people in college who don’t need to be there. The school should continue to prepare students for employment, but also realize that not every graduate needs to go get a higher education. -Ben Grantonic, Assitant Web/News Editor

The new requirements for graduating requires students to be more responsible and independent with their school work. Overall, it is more helpful. Students will now be required to have internships and more handson activities which will prepare the students for the “real world” more than standardized tests will. I have had teachers tell me that some of the things we learn in their classroom we will never use in the world after the class. I believe that with this new graduation requirement, schools are acknowledging this problem as well, and trying to help the students adapt to the “real world” so it will be a smoother transition. -Rebekah Shultz, Social Media Editor/ Unity Director

EDITORIAL QUESTION Do you believe the new graduation requirements will better prepare students for their post-high school plans than the old requirements?

Aggressively Organic might be the gateway to more project-based learning opportunities as the new graduation requirements are now in place for all classes starting with the class of 2023. Photo by Lily Thomas.

EDITORIAL POLICY

Tiger Topics N the RED is the offi cial monthly newsmagazine of Fishers High School. It is distributed free to 3,600 students and over 300 school personnel. It is designed, written and edited by students. Opinions expressed in the newsmagazine do not necessarily represent those of the adviser, administration or staff.

Letters to the editor may be submitted to A218. Letters must contain the writer’s phone number for verifi cation. Letters to the editor will not be published anonymously.

If there is any incorrect information, corrections will be made in the next issue.

MISSION STATEMENT

As the student-run newsmagazine of FHS, Tiger Topics N the Red is dedicated to providing the staff, students and community of FHS with a timely, entertaining and factual publication once a month by means of public forum. In publishing articles that students enjoy reading, we are furthering both the educational experience and the expansion of FHS culture. The staff works to create a sense of unity and awareness and to allow the students of FHS to have a better insight to the world around them.