Dual credit classes are safe for now. Teachers have 5 years to get new training

Indiana’s popular dual credit classes are safe — at least for the next five years.

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education announced yesterday that it had received a five-year reprieve from tough new rules that will require all teachers of dual credit classes to have a master’s degree or 18 graduate credits in their subject area.

Dual credit classes enable students to take college-level courses and earn college credits while still high school.

The classes had been in danger because most of the high school teachers leading the classes — almost 75 percent — do not currently meet the new, higher requirements that were initially planned to take effect in 2017. Now, those teachers have until 2022 to get up to speed.

“We are pleased that the accreditor has granted our colleges this extra time to ensure Indiana’s teachers have sufficient time to meet these new requirements,” said Indiana Higher Education Commissioner Teresa Lubbers.

The rule change was announced in fall of 2015, which immediately put some schools and leaders on high-alert as they realized their popular classes could be put in jeopardy. Under state law, Indiana high schools are required to offer at least two dual credit classes.

Some state education officials and many educators still oppose the rule change, saying the advanced education is not necessarily needed for teachers who have spent years teaching the dual credit courses.

Lawmakers are already discussing ways they might help teachers pay for the extra training through laws passed by the Indiana General Assembly last year.

Learn more about the dual credit rule change and what it means for Indiana schools here.