Yesterday was a great day in Indianapolis! Six students from GEO’s 21st Century Charter School in Gary, Indiana and three students from GEO Next Generation High School Indianapolis, met with the state’s top education leaders including Secretary of Education Katie Jenner and Indiana Higher Education Commissioner Teresa Lubbers. Our students gathered to share their achievements earning college credits and degrees while in our high schools.
The students also met with Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston, Senate Minority Leader Greg Taylor, Gary’s Senator Eddie Melton, and Senate Education Committee Chair Jeff Raatz.
We had freshmen who have earned seven credits already, sophomores who have earned 18 college credits, and juniors and seniors who have already earned a full associate degree while in our high schools speak to the leaders about their accomplishments and future plans after high school.
Commissioner Lubbers recently released a report showing that only 14 percent of Indiana high school students earn more than 24 college credits while in high school. More than 34% of the Class of 2021 at 21st Century Charter School have earned more than 24 college credits with 10% having earned a full associate degree. Next Gen Indy is just getting started but already has 36% of its students completing college credits and on the path to complete their associate degree, too.
If you think I’m excited, I am. Why? Because I’m not talking about what might happen. I’m talking about what IS happening. We made promises years ago. Today, those promises are coming to fruition.
Sincerely,
Kevin Teasley
Founder & President
GEO Foundation
P.S. Above is a picture of Commissioner Teresa Lubbers and Education Secretary Katie Jenner with our students from Gary and Indianapolis.
