THE RAATZ ROUNDUP
Submitted for use on April 4, 2025
Word Count: 472
By State Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond)
Recently, I had the honor of attending a ceremony with Gov. Mike Braun as he unveiled Indiana's new high school diploma. The redesign process began in 2023, when I sponsored a law that directed the Indiana State Board of Education to create new diploma requirements, which include several seals, or pathways, that allow students to prepare ahead of time for enrolling in college, going straight into the workforce or enlisting in the military. One of those seals, the Enrollment Honors Plus seal, is the first of its kind in the nation. It takes a major step toward guaranteeing equal access to higher education for all Hoosier applicants by granting students who receive it automatic acceptance into all seven major public universities in our state.
This is incredible news for Indiana. We already rank sixth in the nation for holding down tuition costs – addressing affordability, another challenge to equal access - and rank sixth in students who complete their degree within six years – a sign that our universities' commitment to equal access lasts throughout their enrollment. While going to college is not the path to success for everyone, these factors are vital for the 53% of Hoosiers who choose to attend college.
On the flip side, we rank 40th in terms of retaining students after they graduate. Part of this may be due to our success in attracting out-of-state students to enroll at our universities, many of whom then move back home after they graduate. The decision to automatically accept in-state students with the Enrollment Honors Plus Seal ensures Hoosiers have equal access to Indiana colleges when facing students from around the world while also ensuring our universities can attract the top academic talent in our state. As a result, our universities can remain focused on their mission to serve our state and address our workforce needs without sacrificing academic performance.
Some other states, like Texas, have aimed to attract top academic performers in their states to public universities by automatically accepting the top 10% of students in their high school class.
Indiana's new diploma offers a critical improvement, however, as it puts forward a set of objective, obtainable criteria for in-state students to be admitted to state universities and ensures every Hoosier student has equal access to Higher Education, regardless of whether they come from a large, urban school, or a small, rural one.
Indiana already has a strong educational system, and I am excited to see these new diplomas, which will take effect across Indiana by 2029, make it stronger and more capable of addressing the needs of our state and the needs of our students, wherever their careers take them.
Constituents can reach out to me with any questions or concerns they may have by filling out a "Contact Me" form on the IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Raatz website or by phone at 800-382-9467.
PHOTO CAPTION: State Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond) chairs the last meeting of the Senate Committee on Education and Career Development during the 2025 legislative session.
PHOTO CAPTION: State Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond) stands with State Sen. Greg Goode (R-Terre Haute) while Gov. Mike Braun unveils the new Indiana high school diploma, announcing that students who receive an enrollment honors plus seal would be automatically accepted to state public universities.
-30-
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.
