Pryor celebrates Pike High School teacher, Graciela Miranda, named as 2025 Indiana Teacher of the Year

Friday (Sept. 27),  the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced Graciela Miranda as the 2025 Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Miranda teaches English language learners from Freshman to Senior year at Pike High School.

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor released the following statement:

“I am unbelievably proud to have the 2025 Teacher of the Year, Graciela Miranda, in my district. When the top three finalists were announced, I had the pleasure of sitting in on Mrs. Miranda’s class while she went through a lesson. It was remarkable to see her passion for education and creating life-long learners shine through as she spoke to her class. In that lesson, Mrs. Miranda used her own upbringing as a first-generation college graduate to impart on her students that there is nothing they cannot achieve if they work hard and dream big.

“What stood out most to me about Mrs. Miranda was how deeply she cares for each and every student. It was clear that her students see that as well. After the announcement on Friday, I was touched to see a group of her students run up to Mrs. Miranda and pull her into a big group hug. The reaction from all the students in the room just shows that Mrs. Miranda is seen as an inspiring figure throughout the school.

“With over 64,000 teachers in our state, it is an honor to have one of Pike High School’s own recognized as the best. Congratulations, Mrs. Miranda! Thank you for all that you do for your students and our community.”

Errington responds to threats against Indiana schools this week

This week, middle and high schools across the state have received unrelated security gun threats from students, forcing school closures and delays. These threats have affected schools in cities from all corners of the state, including Crothersville, Mooresville, Valparaiso, Center Grove, Lafayette, Marion, Anderson and Indianapolis. Police have made more than 20 juvenile arrests in response to these threats.

State Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) released the following statement in response:

"Indiana is experiencing a crisis. The longer we continue to ignore it, incidents like these will continue to occur.

"When a student threatens a school and their peers, there is clearly more going on behind the scenes. The 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey indicates that 33.7% of Hoosier students say they experienced poor mental health, while 47% reported feeling sad or helpless. If our kids feel backed into a corner, they are likelier to lash out and make destructive decisions.

"We must also address how students are gaining access to dangerous weapons like guns. In Muncie, you can hop over to a gun store, retail store or even the fairgrounds to purchase a firearm. Almost anyone can buy a gun in Indiana, and in turn, these weapons end up in the hands of children.

"My Democratic colleague State Rep. Mitch Gore (D-Indianapolis) and captain in the Marion County Sheriff's office, has repeatedly authored safe storage legislation that would require gun owners to lock up their firearms. Gore has reintroduced this piece of legislation each year since 2021, and every time the majority has stopped the legislation dead in its tracks. This legislation has the potential to save lives and we need to appeal to lawmakers on both sides of the political spectrum to get this done.

"Last session, I offered an amendment to HEA 1235 that would have restored control to local governments, allowing cities and towns to regulate firearms. HEA 1235 it strips local control from cities and towns to be able to hold manufacturers accountable for deaths and injuries resulting from guns. This too, was dismissed by Republicans.

"When students from Burris Laboratory School brought their concerns to the Statehouse this past session, they were met with a holstered gun mockingly waved in their faces by a Republican legislator. If members of the General Assembly are comfortable flashing firearms directly at children, then how can we expect students to treat the issue seriously? Until all legislators treat this issue with the seriousness it deserves, we can expect a continued rise in violent incidents.

"We cannot continue to look away while children are at direct risk on school grounds. The answer isn't just increased security and active shooter drills or arming teachers. It is ensuring all Hoosier students are heard, supported and receive the care they deserve. It is prioritizing sensible legislation to keep weapons away from children.

"I will not stand idly by while our schools are threatened with senseless violence. To the students and school faculty affected by these threats, I stand with you. I will continue to put pressure on the Republican majority to adopt policy on this multifaceted issue."

Gore, IMPD celebrate first Green Alert resulting in successful location of a missing veteran

On Monday (Sept. 16), a statewide Green Alert was issued following the disappearance of a veteran in Southwest Indianapolis. As of yesterday (Sept. 19), 44-year-old Justin Cavin has been safely located by detectives from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD). During the 2024 legislative session, State Rep. Mitch Gore (D-Indianapolis) authored House Enrolled Act 1021 to establish the statewide Green Alert system for missing, at-risk veterans. This week marks the first successful use of the Green Alert System since it launched on July 1 of this year. 

“When I authored House Enrolled Act 1021, I knew that if it helped bring one at-risk veteran home safely then all of my time in the General Assembly would be well worth it,” Gore said. “The safety of Hoosier veterans should be a top priority for the state, and creating an alert lets our veterans and their families know that if they go missing, we will find them. This week, we saw the Green Alert system used to bring a veteran home to their loved ones.

“I am so thankful that we were able to safely locate Mr. Cavin after his disappearance earlier this week. Specifically, I want to thank Indiana State Police's missing person clearinghouse and the detectives of the IMPD for working together to successfully administer the first Green Alert. Getting this law passed and signed into effect was important, but for it to have a positive impact in Hoosiers' lives, we needed the leadership of our public safety agencies to put it into action with care and precision, just as they did here. It's important that we care for and support our veterans both at home and abroad.” 

 “This first-ever green alert highlights the crucial role we all play in protecting our veterans. I am incredibly relieved that Mr. Cavin has been located safe. This successful outcome demonstrates the power of community awareness and collaboration by law enforcement agencies,” said Chief Chris Bailey. 

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Summers reacts to data on child fatalities, demands preventative action

Today (Sept. 18), the Interim Study Committee on Child Services met to discuss updates from the Indiana Department of Health and Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) on child fatalities in our state and solutions to combat the issue.

In 2022, 4,422 Hoosier children between the ages of zero and 17 died as a result of injuries, which include homicide, drowning, suicide, and transportation accidents. According to DCS, 308 deaths were investigated, and in 61 of these cases, the cause of death was confirmed to be caused by abuse or neglect. The same data shows that 67% of these children were three or younger.

“We aren't doing enough to move the needle to help Hoosier children,” State Rep. Vanessa Summers (D-Indianapolis) said. “As legislators, we have a duty to protect the most vulnerable. Children are entirely dependent on the adults in their lives. When an adult fails as a guardian, it is the child who is left to face the consequences.

“We need to be proactive instead of reactive to protect our children. If we want to reduce the number of child deaths in our state, we must invest in combating risk factors that heighten the risk of abuse, such as low-familiar income, mental health and substance abuse. Our state has continually failed to do so, and the cost is our children's lives.”

Jackson ‘deeply concerned’ about Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities report

Wednesday, Sept. 18, the Interim Study Committee on Child Services met to discuss the latest Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities Report.

State Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond), a member of the committee, released the following statement: 

“No matter how you look at it, the data shown in the latest Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities report is deeply disturbing. Every single child lost to the cruelty of abuse and neglect is a heart-wrenching tragedy. The numbers have been far too high for far too many years. 

“According to this report, between 2016 and 2022, 421 children lost their lives due to mistreatment by the people trusted to care for them. The number of fatalities was consistent year after year. I am concerned about the qualifications of those investigating these tragedies as they just continue to happen at the same rate.   

“These investigations seem to be just checking the boxes. The well-being and lives of children should not be simplified down to a box to check. 

“Thirteen of the children that died this year had previous involvement with the Department of Child Services. Those deaths could have been prevented. We need to take a deep look at our current system and make changes that will provide greater protection for our most vulnerable population. 

“No child or family should ever be put through this horror. As a state, we need to put all possible resources into protecting Hoosier children from falling victim to these tragedies.” 

Pfaff demands FSSA take accountability for leaving Hoosier seniors out to dry

This July, the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) launched the PathWays for Aging home- and community-based service (HCBS) Waiver for eligible Hoosiers aged 60 or older. According to the FSSA, the Medicaid managed care program was intended to improve the health and well-being of aging Hoosier populations. However, since the program's launch, many eligible Hoosiers have been left on a waitlist with no end in sight.

The PathWays Waiver has a total of 10,500 slots for newly eligible seniors, and 9,247 Hoosiers are currently on the waitlist. Despite the number of open slots exceeding the number of people on the waitlist, the FSSA is only filling 800 of those open slots each month from the waitlist. The thousands of Hoosiers remaining on the waitlist have been left pathless without adequate support or communication.

“With the thousands of applicants on the waitlist, this means that the FSSA plans to let Hoosier seniors wait an entire year to finally receive government services they've been paying into their entire lives,” State Rep. Tonya Pfaff (D-Terre Haute) said. “Now, these same seniors are left without answers as they are forced to wait months for critical services.”

“I recently contacted the FSSA asking them to send a representative to assist concerned seniors at the Silver Birch assisted living in Terre Haute. This request was denied. The FSSA did not explain why they could not send a liaison to meet with these residents. Instead, the FSSA advised the individuals at Silver Birch to wade through a sea of red tape if they want any answers. The apathy shown by the FSSA towards our Hoosier seniors is unacceptable. I will do everything in my power to ensure that our seniors get the support they so desperately need.

“Left without any guidance or transparency from the FSSA, those stuck on the waitlist are now at risk of becoming unhoused and losing access to essential services. This is as irresponsible as it is unconscionable. It is unacceptable to allow the FSSA to take advantage of our vulnerable senior population by refusing to help them get the care they need.  Until the FSSA takes accountability for the mess they made, my office will continue to do what we can on behalf of affected seniors.”

IBLC members serve as panelists for Administrators of Color - Preparing for the Future Conference

Yesterday (Sept. 9), multiple members of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) participated as panelists for the Embracing Your Power: Black Educators Forging Paths in Leadership panel. The panel was part of the Administrators of Color – Preparing for the Future Conference, hosted by the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents.

IBLC members who served as panelists include IBLC Chair State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), State Rep. John Bartlett (D-Indianapolis), State Sen. Andrea Hunley (D-Indianapolis), Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis), State Sen. Lonnie Randolph (D-East Chicago), State Rep. Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis) and State Rep. Vernon G. Smith (D-Gary).

Below are statements from members of the IBLC regarding the panel:  

“The education of Hoosier students directly impacts the future of our state,” Harris said. “It is crucial that we center the needs of students and teachers so they are given every opportunity to succeed.

“Various issues have placed an undue burden on our educational system. As a legislator, I relish opportunities like yesterday to speak directly with leaders in the education community, and I hope that by working together, we can address the faults and improve our state’s education.”

“I am grateful to have the opportunity to speak about the ongoing challenges faced by teachers and administrative staff,” Bartlett said. “We need to better serve our education community, but to do that, we need to make our voices heard in the Statehouse. Remember that the Statehouse is the People’s House.”

“Yesterday’s Administrators of Color Panel felt like a family reunion in the truest sense,” Hunley said. “It was a privilege to stand alongside mentors who have shaped my journey and who I’ve had the honor to serve with throughout the years. These are not just colleagues; they are champions for our children and our communities. 

“As someone who has taught for seven years and served as a public school administrator for 10, I carry an unwavering respect for those who dedicate themselves to the noble cause of public education. Our panel didn’t just reflect on the challenges; we dug into what’s most urgent as we approach the 2025 budget session: protecting public school funding. We owe it to our students, educators and communities to ensure the resources they need are not just maintained but expanded. This work is deeply personal to me, and I stand ready to fight for the future of our schools.” 

“It was an incredible event that brought together legislators, administrators and educators of color to build a common agenda,” Porter said. “I’m grateful I was included in yesterday’s discussion since I heard directly from administrators before the 2025 budget session. We spend half of our budget on public education, and we need to use that funding to support our students no matter their tax bracket.”

“Yesterday’s education panel was an excellent opportunity for educators to engage directly with legislators and share their concerns and insights,” Shackleford said. “I’m grateful to have been a part of such a meaningful discussion and driving force that continues to support our Hoosier students. Following the event, educators are more motivated than ever to deepen their understanding of advocacy and amplify their voices further.”

“I’ve been on the Education Committee for a long time and an educator for even longer,” said Smith. “During my tenure, I’ve seen taxpayer dollars diverted from public schools and multiple failed attempts at reform. It’s no secret that our majority-minority schools have suffered the most from failed reform. At yesterday’s panel, I told our educators to mobilize and advocate for change. Specifically, we must call for equitable school funding during the next budget. I hope the rest of the public will do the same.”

DeLaney congratulates Gov.Holcomb on his successful visit to Ukraine

Yesterday, Gov. Eric Holcomb visited Kyiv, Ukraine to create a future economic, academic and cultural partnership between the two governments. The governor met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Zhytomyr region and the state of Indiana. 

State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement regarding the governor’s visit: 

“I’d like to congratulate our governor for visiting Kyiv. I’m proud of this show of support for the Ukrainian people. It’s clear that Indiana stands by the Ukrainian nation in the wake of Russia’s heinous invasion of their homeland. 

“Holcomb has enthusiastically cooperated with the legislature as we attempted to aid the Ukrainian nationals in Indiana under humanitarian parole status. 

“His visit creates the opportunity to help Ukraine rebuild post-war. Post-war reconstruction is a multidimensional process that requires the aid and resources of close political friends. 

“Holcomb's opinion piece in today’s IndyStar reflects the sentiments of thousands of Hoosiers. There’s an innate desire to help the underdog up against a global superpower. 

“I’m sure our governor will agree with me when I say: Slava Ukraini!” 

Andrade disappointed in the closure of Griffith BMV Branch

Today, Sept. 5, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (IBMV) announced the closure of the Griffith BMV Branch. This decision follows the public hearing the BMV hosted on Aug. 14 where community feedback on the proposed closure was collected. After reviewing the responses, the IBMV Commissioner has decided to move forward with closing the Griffith location.

State Rep. Mike Andrade released the following statement regarding the decision:

“I want to thank the community members who shared their input at last month’s public hearing. BMV branches play a vital role in connecting residents with state resources and often represent their primary interaction with government services. With the Griffith BMV Branch closing, residents will now need to travel outside their community to access these essential services.

“I am deeply disappointed by the IBMV’s decision and will work to ensure that a Connect Kiosk, which offers many common BMV transactions, remains available for the Griffith community.”

Jackson named to board of directors for The Truth Initiative Foundation to stop youth nicotine use

State Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond) has officially accepted her appointment to the board of directors for the Truth Initiative Foundation. The Truth Initiative is a nonprofit public awareness and advocacy organization that seeks to discourage youth nicotine use through education, policy study, community activism, commercial tobacco control research, and tobacco dependence treatment innovation. It is the largest nonprofit public health organization dedicated to preventing nicotine addiction in young adults and empowering users to quit. 

The board of directors is an independent body that oversees the work of the Truth Initiative. As part of the 1998 Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), the National Association of Attorney’s General (NAAG) and the National Governors Association (NGA) appoint members to serve on the bipartisan board. Rep. Jackson was nominated by the NCSL to be the Democratic board member since the current member is retiring.  

“I am honored to accept this appointment to the board of directors for the Truth Initiative Foundation,” Rep. Jackson said. “The work of this organization is essential to combatting the crisis of youth nicotine use. Nicotine is an incredibly harmful and addictive substance that adversely effects brain development as well as the physical and mental health of young people. Using nicotine before age 25 has also been proven to increase the risk of future addiction to cigarettes and other drugs.

“The effort to prevent youth nicotine use is not new and has seen great success in the past. Through public awareness, education, community engagement, research and policy initiatives, the youth smoking rate dropped from about 23% to 2% since the year 2000. However, the tobacco industry has adapted to target young people once again with new products such as nicotine and e-cigarettes that are easily marketable to teens. In 2021, nearly one in five Hoosier high schoolers reported that they used e-cigarettes.

“Protecting youth in America from falling victim to the commercial tobacco industry's profit-driven schemes takes commitment across different sectors. The Truth Initiative brings together industry leaders, experts from the nation’s top institutions and state officials from all three branches of government including governors, attorneys general and legislators. I look forward to joining this critical organization to help establish their long-term agenda, their priorities and to ensure this initiative is as effective as possible when it comes to reaching America's young people.” 

For more information about Tobacco Prevention & Cessation in Indiana, or to find youth services, visit this Indiana Department of Health page. 

Dant Chesser to host public town hall on high school diploma redesign proposal

Last week, the Indiana Department of Education recently announced the second draft of its proposal to redesign Indiana's high school diplomas. The official proposal has not been published, but the preliminary updates include eliminating the GPS Diploma and GPS Diploma Plus. The new diplomas will start with the Class of 2029 (this upcoming academic year's eighth graders).  

Before the upcoming fall comment period, State Rep. Wendy Dant Chesser (D-Jeffersonville) is holding a town hall for district constituents to learn more about the details of the second draft from education leadership and business professionals. 

The town hall will take place at this time and location: 

• Jeffersonville City Hall (500 Quartermaster Court, Room 101, Jeffersonville, IN 47130). 

• Monday, August 26 at 6 p.m. 

“I’ve received an outpouring of concern from House District 71 parents and educators about the ongoing diploma redesign,” Dant Chesser said. “Clark and Floyd Counties are well-known for their quality public schools that set our students up to be lifelong learners. The second draft made some much-needed updates concerning academic rigor, but it still needs further refining concerning external employment, transportation and safety. I hope to see you at the town hall so you can get your questions answered and share your thoughts on the updated proposal with stakeholders.” 

The latest diploma proposal is not yet available on the Indiana Register. IDOE and SBOE will open another public comment period with an online portal and public forum, expected this fall. The final rule on the new diploma must be adopted by December 31, 2024.

Pfaff optimistic about updated diploma proposal, but some questions still remain unanswered

On Aug. 15, the State Board of Education (SBOE) released a second draft of the new, proposed high school diplomas. The second draft removes the GPS Diploma and GPS Diploma Plus options and instead offers one base diploma. Students can now obtain Honors and Honors Plus readiness seals in the following categories: enlistment and service, employment and enrollment. These changes follow a public comment period in which educators, parents, students and legislators shared their concerns.

State Rep. Tonya Pfaff (D-Terre Haute) released the following statement regarding the updated draft proposals: 

“Though this second draft does offer improvements, there are still many unanswered questions that the SBOE must address. The proposed GPS and GPS Plus diplomas failed to offer diverse courses to make Hoosier students competitive compared to those from other states. I am optimistic that the new readiness seals will offer Hoosier students an opportunity to challenge themselves academically and provide a pathway for those aiming to attend college or university.

“However, as an educator, I still have concerns regarding the feasibility of implementing these changes into our current system. As students return to school after the long summer break, teachers and school staff must quickly adjust to the difficulties each new school year brings. But now, we also face uncertainty and lack of transparency stemming from the new high school diploma proposals.

“Currently, Indiana is experiencing a counselor crisis. Earlier this year, the American School Counselor Association reported that Indiana's student-to-counselor ratio is 694 to 1. Our school counselors are already stretched to their limit, so how can we expect them to take on the challenge of guiding students into a future that has yet to be mapped out? Without proper funding or resources directed to our schools and educational staff, it is unrealistic to further burden counselors with this challenge.

“Additionally, we have yet to receive any clarity on how schools are meant to implement work-based learning opportunities. How are we going to ferry students to and from their job sites? What about liability issues and safety concerns? How would we support students in rural areas who don't have the same job opportunities as their urban and suburban counterparts? Until these questions are answered, this second draft still has too many unresolved issues to proceed forward with confidence.

“Regardless of the work yet to be done, I want to thank everyone in my community who reached out to me about their concerns and provided feedback directly to the SBOE. I also want to thank the SBOE for listening and implementing changes when concerns were raised. Though there is still much to do, I am hopeful that these diploma changes are moving in a positive direction.”

The latest diploma proposal is not yet available on the Indiana Register. IDOE and SBOE will open another public comment period with an online portal and public forum, expected this fall. The final rule on the new diploma must be adopted by December 31, 2024.