Indiana

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

Published

2 years ago

January 2, 2024

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.

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.

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

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

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Indiana

Fernando Mendoza, citing Raiders obligations, misses Indiana’s White House visit

Published

1 hour ago

May 11, 2026

Press Room

Fernando Mendoza, citing Raiders obligations, misses Indiana’s White House visit

Fernando Mendoza did not attend Indiana University’s visit to the White House commemorating the Hoosiers’ college football national championship on Monday. The Las Vegas Raiders quarterback said earlier this month that he would not attend if it interfered with any activities with his new team.

“I’m on the bottom of the totem pole here,” Mendoza said following a rookie minicamp practice. “I got to prove myself. I can’t miss practice. I don’t know anything official. I don’t have the calendar, but I just wouldn’t. As a rookie, I don’t think that’s a good look, and I want to try to best serve my teammates. And I don’t know if that’d be accomplishing that goal.”

According to the team’s official offseason schedule, the Raiders did not have any formal practices or workouts on Monday. The team’s next organized activity is May 18, its first OTA workout.

“Fernando couldn’t be here today because, as I said, he’s now a member of the Las Vegas Raiders,” President Donald Trump said in his address. “Let’s see how good of a team they have, and I think he’s gonna do great. He’s a winner.”

Mendoza wasn’t the only absence. Center Pat Coogan and cornerback D’Angelo Ponds were among the other Hoosiers not in attendance for the event due to NFL obligations. Indiana had a program-record eight players selected in April’s NFL Draft.

Trump highlighted Mendoza’s accomplishments and contributions to the school’s first football national title. He celebrated Mendoza as Indiana’s inaugural Heisman Trophy winner and praised his fourth-quarter touchdown run in the championship game against Miami.

“He’s gonna be a good one,” Trump said.

Indiana was well-represented by returning members of the team. Charlie Becker, one of Mendoza’s go-to receivers during the College Football Playoffs, and Jamari Sharpe, whose late interception secured the title-game victory, both spoke on behalf of the school, as did head coach Curt Cignetti.

Mendoza is one of four members of the national champion Hoosiers who joined the Raiders this offseason. Running back Roman Hemby and wide receiver E.J. Williams Jr. signed as undrafted free agents in the days following the draft. Wide receiver Jonathan Brady earned a contract after impressing as a tryout player during rookie minicamp.

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Indiana

Suspect in custody after Muncie triple shooting leaves 1 woman dead, 2 men injured

Published

13 hours ago

May 11, 2026

Press Room

Suspect in custody after Muncie triple shooting leaves 1 woman dead, 2 men injured

MUNCIE, Ind. (WISH) — Police are investigating a triple shooting that took place on Muncie’s south side Sunday evening that left a woman dead and two men injured.

According to police, at approximately 5:27 p.m., Muncie Police Officers were dispatched to the 2700 block of South Walnut Street in reference to reports of several people being shot.

Officers arrived and located three gunshot victims: A 23-year-old female who died from “multiple wounds,” a 39-year-old male who is hospitalized in stable condition, and a 40-year-old male who was airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital in critical condition.

Police say a suspect is in custody, a 21-year-old man.

Police did not provide any additional information.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Muncie Police Detective Division at 765-747-4867 or dispatch at 765-747-4838.

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Indiana

Indiana Pacers exec apologizes to fans after losing first-round pick

Published

1 day ago

May 10, 2026

Press Room

Indiana Pacers exec apologizes to fans after losing first-round pick

The Indiana Pacers lost 63 games this season for a chance at a franchise-changing lottery pick. On Sunday, May 10, they lost that chance, too.

All Pacers president Kevin Pritchard could do was apologize for taking the risk.

Indiana’s pick landed at No. 5 in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, one spot outside the top four protections attached to a midseason trade. The selection now belongs to the Los Angeles Clippers .

Shortly after the results were announced, Pritchard took social media and apologized.

“I’m really sorry to all our fans,” Pritchard wrote. “I own taking this risk. Surprised it came up 5th after this year. I thought we were due some luck.”

The Pacers entered the lottery with a 52.1% chance of securing a top-four pick after finishing 19-63, the second-worst record in the NBA. It wasn’t enough.

Indiana sent Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2029 first-round pick to Los Angeles in the midseason deal for Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown, along with the conditional 2026 first-rounder. The pick was theirs to keep only if it landed in the top four.

Zubac appeared in just five games for Indiana after the trade because of a fractured rib.

“This team deserved a starting center to compete with the best teams next year,” Pritchard wrote. “We have always been resillient.”

Pritchard will have to be resilient if he looks at the replies to his statement. About half of the Pacers fans’ comments were not happy, and fans of other teams called him out for “tanking.”

There were also a large number of fans who were supportive of Pritchard taking that risk.

Tyrese Haliburton is expected to return next season after tearing his Achilles in last year’s NBA Finals. The Pacers will have him Pascal Siakam and a roster they think is built to compete. They just won’t have that first-round pick to add to it.

The 2026 NBA Draft begins June 23 in Brooklyn.

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