INDIANAPOLIS -- Time is running out for the Indiana Department of Education to finalize its high school diploma redesign. The department only has a few more weeks before it must submit final recommendations to the SBOE. Indiana Department of Education releases new high school diploma proposal draft ”Teachers are afraid of the uncertainty coming our way,” said concerned parent Randy Hudgins. As the second public comment period for the state’s high school diploma redesign ended last Friday, parents, educators and lawmakers told IDOE staff attorneys last week that they’re concerned the redesign could lead to the elimination of several teachers’ jobs, and, ultimately, a less rigorous curriculum for Hoosier children. ”What becomes of these teachers when those classes are cut in half or more by this plan, especially in rural schools where they have even fewer resources than we have in a Marion County school?” asked Hudgins. ”Rolling back to only requiring Algebra I is regressive and runs counter to what other states are doing,” said State Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie). School counselors also said they’re concerned the redesign will overload educators amid a severe workforce shortage. ”The 1,333 Indiana high school counselors are already so burdened,” said Doreen Waldbieser, a concerned school counselor. The American School Counselor Association said the recommended ratio is one counselor for every 250 students. However, according to the U.S. Department of Education, Indiana currently has one counselor for every 430 students—almost double the recommended amount. ”To successfully implement a vastly new and complicated diploma system, such as this, will require an enormous effort to train middle school and high school counselors and more than double their ranks,” said Keri Miksca, a board member with the Indiana Coalition for Public Education. ”We ask that you do not pass this without a thorough fiscal analysis.” Several parents and teachers also question how the state would ensure the safety of students interested in work-based learning under the redesign. “How will children safely get to and from apprenticeships, credentialing opportunities, and WBL experiences?" asked Miksza. ”How will we ensure background checks are being done for all parties working with children inside and outside the school buildings as well as online?” Indiana education officials propose new high school diplomas for students House Education Chair Robert Behning (R-Indianapolis) said he anticipates the IDOE will tweak parts of their plan—although what parts exactly have yet to be determined. “The diploma track, the way they’ve done it, the Pathways, to me make[s] a lot of sense today, and just tweaking them slightly may be how they’ll end up making recommendations,” said State Rep. Behning. The IDOE said it will release guidance for students interested in work-based learning opportunities by the end of the year.