Despite a continuing effort to push his plan for higher educational standards, Superintendent Jeff Swensson said he has received little official feedback from the Indiana State Legislature so far. His plan would allow high-performing school districts such as Carmel not be restricted under the mandatory 180-day attendance law in attempt to install a better curriculum, especially with CHS seniors. To learn more about Swensson’s “Greyhound Senior Semester,” visit https://hilite.org/core/archives/12354 or read his column at http://www1.ccs.k12.in.us/district/downloads/cms_block_file/43444/file/40255.

The State Legislature has already seen two education bills in its first six weeks in session. Senate Bill 497 would allow seniors to graduate early with a $3,500 scholarship to a postsecondary education institution. The other, House Bill 1002, would help create more charter schools.

Swensson is not a fan of either bill, mostly because they would interfere with the standards of public schools, and public schools would have to pay the cost. According to the Legislative Services Agency, Indiana school districts would lose an estimated $10 million if the bill proceeds to pass in the Senate. Swensson said there is no research base concluding that charter schools produce better students than public ones.

“The standards the State is setting should be higher,” Swensson said.

The last opportunity Carmel has at getting some legislative momentum lies in the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s legislative breakfast on Feb. 14. Earlier, Swensson and School Board President Tricia Hackett made a presentation to the Carmel Chamber of Commerce. One of the talking points was Swensson’s proposal.

“My informal survey of head nods as I am speaking said (my plan) resonates with people. It does make sense to provide as much as we possibly can for Carmel students,” Swensson said. During the presentation, cards stating the district’s quantitative data and its standards were handed out.

According to Swensson, if there is no feedback soon, Swensson and his backers will have to regroup.

Student Body President Jeremy Weprich said Swensson’s plan would in fact give seniors an incredible academic opportunity.

He said, “Potentially, it could function as an effective transition for advanced seniors that have their eyes set on higher education. It is a program worth trying out, perhaps on a small-scale test group, to gauge its possible utility. New ideas like this, catering to the top-tier students, ought to be implemented if we hope to further improve our academic potential as a school.” By Steven Chen <[email protected]>