INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indiana State Board of Education made changes to the state high school diploma requirements after facing backlash from parents, educators, and politicians.

The board unveiled the changes on Wednesday. This new plan creates one standard diploma, and adds the option to earn two seals: Honors and Honors Plus.

Indiana Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn (D-Fishers) was an outspoken critic of the original plan to have multiple diplomas.

In a one-on-one interview, she spoke to News 8 to explain her view on the updated plan.

Q: You came on and expressed concern about the previous proposal a few weeks ago, saying you worried that some of the changes removed key requirements and would leave students behind. How do you feel about this latest version?

A: I think it’s progress, and that should be stated. For sure, there is progress that is made. I definitely feel that, as these are not finalized yet, we still have to be cautious about how we continue to proceed, particularly with some of the concerns that are left lingering, particularly around work-based learning. Thinking about how students are going to get to and from specific worksite commitments. Thinking about the ability for all children to have access to the same opportunities.

Q: What about your constituents? What have they told you about the new version?

A: Overwhelmingly, when the first version came about, there were numerous concerns. People wrote in to my office. Many attended the town hall. We have started receiving some feedback in to my office saying they appreciate some of the changes that are being made, but are still cautiously optimistic. We’re directing those concerns back to the State Board of Education.

Q: In your view, what about this proposal still needs to be changed?

A: I think I alluded to it earlier. We still have to figure out the work-based requirements. In addition, I’m really concerned about our school counselors. Thinking about the number of, or the time rather, that we have to implement this, and the time that they have to get through all of the knowledge of all of the different seal options. Thinking about our less-resourced schools as well. There is obviously one option: One diploma with several other seal endorsements. So, will every high school have the same opportunity to provide the same opportunities to all students across all districts? I’m worried about more resource districts versus less resourced districts.

Q: What do you want to see the education department do?

A: I think with this new proposal, it has another round of feedback tied to it. So, let’s continue to see what the constituents say. We want to make sure all Hoosiers have the opportunity to voice their concerns and I really appreciate how the department has been responsive to those concerns. I would love them to continue to address the questions that are remaining, and maybe lean on transparency in this time.

Rep. Garcia Wilburn represents Fishers in District 32. Wilburn is an associate professor at Indiana University–Indianapolis and an occupational therapist, according to her website.

Previous Coverage

The Indiana Fever (12-15) are in seventh place in the WNBA standings coming into Sunday’s game against the Seattle Storm (17-9), who are in fourth.

Indiana just completed a three-game season sweep of the Phoenix Mercury with a 98-89 victory on Friday night. Caitlin Clark had 29 points and 10 assists, while Kelsey Mitchell had 28 points with six 3-pointers. Clark averages 17.6 points, Mitchell 17.3, Aliyah Boston 14.2 (8.7 rebounds) and NaLyssa Smith 11.7 (7.8 rebounds).

The Storm are seeking a four-game season sweep of the Fever. Olympic gold medalist and Notre Dame alum Jewell Loyd is averaging 29.7 points per game against Indiana this season. Nneka Ogwumike is adding 18.7 points and 8.7 rebounds against the Fever.

Chloe Peterson is your best Fever follow, and we will have updates throughout. Please remember to refresh.

When do the Indiana Fever play today?

3:30 p.m. ET Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Resilience: Fever crumbled in games like this before. But not this time.

What channel are the Indiana Fever vs Seattle Storm on?

TV: ABC

Streaming: Fubo (free trial)

Indiana Fever injury report

Temi Fagbenle (thumb) remains out.

Caitlin Clark stats with the Indiana Fever

Averages through August 16 (27 games): 17.6 points, 8.3 assists, 5.8 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 32.9% 3-point shooting, 89.2% free throw shooting.

Get Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever jerseys, gear

Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark jerseys, shirts, sweatshirts and hats from Fanatics can be found here.

Tickets to see Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever

Tickets for Fever games are available here.

Newsletter: Make sure you don’t miss any Fever coverage

Remember this season forever: Celebrate Caitlin Clark’s rookie year with the Fever with our special book!

Indiana Fever schedule

This is the Indiana Fever 2024 schedule, with TV info; all times are ET; ^-preseason.

The Indiana Fever had an impressive showing against the Phoenix Mercury on Friday in their first game back from the Olympic break, completing a season sweep of the Mercury with a 98-89 victory. Now, rookie Caitlin Clark and the Fever are looking to avoid the same fate.

The Seattle Storm will go for the season sweep over the Fever on Sunday after winning the first three matchups this season. They last faced off in Seattle in late June, when the Storm defeated the Fever 89-77. Indiana, however, has been on a roll since the loss and has picked up five wins in its last eight games.

Every win counts for the Fever in the WNBA playoff picture. Indiana currently sits in seventh place at 12-15 with 13 games remaining, while the Storm are comfortably in fourth place in the standings at 17-9 with 14 games remaining.

CAITLIN CLARK shines in return from Olympic break

Here’s how to watch the Fever-Storm game on Sunday:

When is Indiana Fever vs. Seattle Storm game?

• Date: Sunday, Aug. 18
• Start time: 3:30 p.m. ET
• Place: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis

How to watch Caitlin Clark and Fever vs. Storm

• TV channel: ABC
• Live stream: ESPN3

The Fever game against the Mercury will be broadcast on ABC with streaming available through ESPN3. Upon its conclusion, the contest will be available to watch on WNBA League Pass, which fans can get by downloading the WNBA app.

Caitlin Clark stats in last game

In the Fever’s first game back from the Olympic break, Caitlin Clark finished with a team-high 29 points in a 98-89 win over the Mercury at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Clark picked up the 10th double-double of her career, with 10 assists and five rebounds. The Fever rookie shot 8-for-16 from the field, including 4-for-11 from three.

Clark is averaging 17.6 points, a WNBA-leading 8.3 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game in 26 games this season.