Indiana lawmakers express frustration with Higher Learning Commission

Sen. Dennis Kruse, R-Auburn, and Rep. Wendy McNamara, R-Mount Vernon, are looking to co-author a resolution in the General Assembly essentially condemning the Higher Learning Commission.

"Why should the Higher Learning Commission have more authority over our students in Indiana than the state government?" Kruse asked.

McNamara said an unelected board in another state is usurping Indiana's state sovereignty.

"They aren't budging on a lot of things and not really caring about the impact on our state," she added.

The Higher Learning Commission is one of six regional accreditors in the United States. It accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in 19 states, including Indiana. It is not the state higher education commission.

The commission recently changed a rule affecting all teachers who teach college credit courses but has a major impact on dual credit courses that students take in high school for college credit.

The comments came at a meeting of the dual credit advisory council headed by Higher Education Commissioner Teresa Lubbers and Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz.