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Indiana 2023 high school graduation rate climbs, but trails decade high

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Indiana 2023 high school graduation rate climbs, but trails decade high


More Indiana students earned diplomas from high schools in 2023 than the previous year but the graduation rate lags behind the high of a decade ago, and racial and economic disparities still persist between student groups.

Last year, 88.9 percent of students graduated, according to the Indiana Department of Education. That’s a nearly 2.5 percentage point increase from the previous year. The state’s graduation rate hovered around 86 and 88 percent during the past several years.

The 2014 graduation rate of 90.1 percent was the highest since Indiana began collecting data in 2012, according to the department.

The 2023 class also had fewer students using a waiver to earn a diploma. Students who do not complete or pass some graduation requirements can still qualify for a diploma if they demonstrate knowledge or skill. The non-waiver graduation rate of 84.9 percent is an increase of more than 4 percentage points compared to 2022.

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Lawmakers and education advocates have long raised concern about the use of waiver diplomas and how granting too many can leave some graduates unprepared for a job or higher education.

“As a state, we have worked very hard to reduce our waiver rate and keep our focus on ensuring students graduate with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in life and in their career,” Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner said in a statement.

The rate for students in most subgroups also increased compared to the previous year. But for some, such as students who are Black, learning to speak English, on free and reduced lunch or receiving special education services, still lag behind their classmates.

  • 82.4 percent of Black students, 86.4 percent of Hispanic students, and 79.78 percent of Pacific Islander students graduated. This is compared to nearly 96.26 percent of Asian students and 90.7 percent of White students.
  • The graduation rate for those who receive free and reduced lunch – the national metric for calculating student poverty – was just less than 4 percentage points lower than their peers who paid for meals.
  • The rate for students receiving special education services jumped by 6.85 percentage points to 83.2 percent.

In 2023, the rate for public school graduates, including traditional districts and charter schools, was 88.8 percent. The diploma rate for charter high schools is 55 percent.

For private and religious schools, the graduate rate is 91.9 percent.

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Overall, more than 73,700 students graduated last year.

Eric Weddle is the education editor at WFYI. Contact Eric at eweddle@wfyi.org.

Copyright 2024 WFYI Public Media. To see more, visit WFYI Public Media.

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Indianapolis police investigate shooting near downtown canal

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Indianapolis police investigate shooting near downtown canal


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — One person was taken to the hospital Monday night after a shooting near the canal in downtown Indianapolis.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers responded just before 8 p.m. to a shooting in the 300 block of West 9th Street. That’s an address within the 9 on Canal apartments near North St. Clair Street and West Senate Avenue.

Officers entered an apartment building and found a male who had been shot. He was taken to Eskenazi Health in stable condition.

A police report obtained by News 8 identifies the suspect as a male.

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Police did not say what led to the shooting. No arrests have been made.



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Does this diner serve the biggest pork tenderloin sandwich in Indiana?

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Does this diner serve the biggest pork tenderloin sandwich in Indiana?


Is a trip to the Hoosier state complete without digging into a massive Indiana-style breaded pork tenderloin sandwich?

The Edinburgh Diner, a classic small-town joint about 40 minutes south of Indianapolis, serves up a delicious version of the staple that just might be the biggest one out there.

Drawing locals and road trippers alike, the menu at this cozy diner focuses on classic comfort food, with burgers, fries & onion rings, hearty breakfast spreads, and hefty portions of homestyle dishes — all for an affordable price.

The Edinburgh Diner’s 16-ounce behemoth of a pork tenderloin sandwich costs just $9.99.

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The recipe is pretty simple overall, but there is a whole culture built around the Indiana pork tenderloin sandwich.

A large piece of pork is pounded super thin, then dipped in flour, egg and breadcrumbs. Deep-fried until golden brown and crispy, it’s served on a basic hamburger bun with toppings like pickles, onions, mustard, or mayo.

The thing the otherwise no-frills sandwich iconic is the pork cutlet being way bigger than the bun, hanging over the edge dramatically. Locals say that if the tenderloin fits inside the bun, it’s not done right.

A crispy, salty exterior, tender pork, a soft bun and tangy toppings combine to form a simple yet beloved, satisfying Midwest meal.

Inspired by European schnitzel brought to the Midwest by German immigrants, the sandwich made its Indiana debut at Nick’s Kitchen in Huntington in the early 1900s. Over time it skyrocketed in popularity, becoming what many call Indiana’s unofficial signature dish.

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It’s not just a sandwich. It’s a slice of Midwestern food culture. The debate over who makes the best one might never be settled, but until then, we are more than happy to try any and every version of this scrumptious dish — for research, of course.

The Edinburgh Diner is located at 413 S Eisenhower Dr, Edinburgh, Indiana 46124. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and closed on Mondays.

We know there are plenty of other stories of unique landmarks and cultural experiences in all corners of the USA, and we’re making it our mission to find and highlight them. If you know of one, we’d love to hear about it. Send a DM to @amazingamericatv on Instagram!

For more amazing stories, click here to subscribe to Amazing America on YouTube and follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.





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New judge lifts order blocking absentee ballots in Indiana Senate primary

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New judge lifts order blocking absentee ballots in Indiana Senate primary


(INDIANA CAPITAL CHRONICLE) — A special judge on Friday lifted an order blocking officials in three western Indiana counties from mailing absentee ballots in a Republican primary where President Donald Trump has endorsed a challenger to state Sen. Greg Goode.

Putnam County Superior Court Judge Charles Bridges took the step the same day he took over the dispute involving whether one of two women with the last name Wilson who filed to run against Goode in the primary should be removed from the primary ballot because of a 2010 criminal conviction.

The original judge on Wednesday had ordered the county clerks in Vigo, Clay and Sullivan counties to hold off on distributing absentee ballots involving the Republican Senate District 38 race.

Under state law, county election offices must start mailing requested absentee ballots on Saturday ahead of the May 5 primary.

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Friday’s order from Bridges said that delaying those ballots would violate federal law and that the county court couldn’t prevent the clerks “from fulfilling their constitutional duties regarding the mailing of absentee ballots.”

Alexandra Wilson’s attorney argued before the Indiana Election Commission last month that she remained eligible since her 2010 guilty plea to a low-level Class D felony charge of resisting law enforcement at the age of 19 was accepted by a judge as a Class A misdemeanor.

The dispute has gained attention because of its possible impact on the campaign prospects of Brenda Wilson, a Vigo County Council member who has Trump’s endorsement against Goode following the senator’s December vote against the Indiana congressional redistricting plan.

The four-member Election Commission split 2-2 during a hearing last month on the challenge to Alexandra Wilson’s candidacy, with the tie vote leaving her name on the ballot.

Bridges set a hearing for Tuesday to review the Election Commission’s actions.

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Alexandra Wilson’s attorney, Samantha DeWester, argued in a court filing that blocking mailing of primary ballots would wrongly hurt her client’s “ability to campaign and effectively run for elected office.”

Attorney Jim Bopp, who is a top political ally of Gov. Mike Braun and is supporting Brenda Wilson, is pursuing the legal case against Alexandra Wilson.

Bopp said he would not fight to keep the initial absentee ballots from going out with Alexandra Wilson’s name included.

“The vast majority of ballots that are going to be cast are, of course, in the future, with early voting and in-person voting,” Bopp told the Indiana Capital Chronicle. “That’s the most important thing to get right.”

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