INDIANAPOLIS -- Officials with the Indiana Department of Education unveiled its newest diploma proposal for Indiana high school students on Wednesday, coming after multiple higher education institutions and other officials spoke out and criticized the initial draft.
During Tuesday's meeting of the State Board of Education, Katie Jenner, Indiana's secretary of education, presented a draft of a new diploma structure for the state, including base requirements for every student, plus the opportunity for students to increase their education through readiness seals.
According to previous reports, Jenner unveiled the department's initial proposal creating two new high school proposals, one of which was a more flexible version of the traditional diploma and the second being focused on work-based learning requirements.
While the department said at the time that they believed both options would help students in post-graduation life, many of the state's higher education institutions spoke out about the diploma changes, questioning if the new requirements would prepare students for higher education.
“We know that every Indiana student has unique goals and dreams,” Katie Jenner, Indiana's secretary of education, said in a news release announcing the new draft. “Some want to go to college, some want to kick start their career right after high school, and some want to serve our country by enlisting in one of our nation’s military branches. To help us more seamlessly connect our students to their future goals, we have listened to thousands of Hoosiers from around the state to help inform our shared work ahead. This is our opportunity to provide a brighter future for the state of Indiana, and most importantly, our students. So, thank you to the many Hoosiers who have been working with us to get this right for Indiana students. Let’s continue to listen and learn from one another, and seize this opportunity, together.”
The department stated that the proposal for Indiana's new high school diploma would include the following bare requirements:
- Eight credits of English, including one communications-focused credit
- Seven credits of math, an increase of one credit from the current diploma system, including one personal finance credit
- Seven credits of science, technology and engineering, an increase of one credit from the current diploma system, including one computer science credit and two STEM-focused credits.
- Five credits of social studies, a decrease of one credit from the current diploma system, which includes two "world perspectives" credits, which includes advanced world language or world-focused social studies courses.
- Two credits of PE/Health, a decrease in one credit form the current diploma system.
- 12 credits of personalized electives, including career and technical education courses, performing/fine arts and world languages.
- One credit of college and careers
Officials stressed that these 42 credits would be the base requirements for students to graduate in the state of Indiana, with students being able to obtain around 60 credits. Students will also have the opportunity to obtain readiness seals that can help personalize their high school experience.
There are two readiness seals that Indiana high school students can obtain: an Honors Seal or an Honors Plus seal. For each of the two seals, students can obtain them in the enrollment category, the employment category or the enlistment and service category.
Honors Seal
Enrollment
- Complete at least four World Language and six Social Studies credits
- Complete at least eight Math credits
- Algebra I plus Geometry, Algebra II and Pre-Calculus or any advanced math credits aligned to their course of study
- Complete at least six Science credits
- Biology I plus Chemistry and Physics or any advanced lab science credits aligned to their course of study
- Earn a C or higher in all courses and earn a cumulative B average
- Complete one of the following
- Four credits in AP courses and pass corresponding AP exams
- Six college credits
- Four credits in IB courses and take corresponding exams
- Score a 1200 on the SAT or a 26 on the ACT
Employment
- Earn a market-driven credential of value aligned to a specific occupation or three courses in a Career and Technology Education pathway.
- Complete 100 hours of work-based learning
- Demonstrate skill development in communication, collaboration and work ethic.
- Meet attendance goal
Enlistment and Service
- Complete one of the following:
- Introduction to Public Service course or approved locally-created equivalent
- Emphasis on developing an awareness of the physical standards and character required for service
- One year of JROTC
- Introduction to Public Service course or approved locally-created equivalent
- Achieve a score of 31 on the ASVAB and complete all three components of the Career Exploration Program
- Meet attendance goal
- Demonstrate skill development in communication, collaboration and work ethic
- Externally verified through a mentorship experience with current military personnel, veterans or other public safety professionals.
Honors Plus Seal
Enrollment
Earn the Honors Enrollment Seal, plus:
- Earn a credential of value that may include, for example:
- Associate degree
- Technical certificate
- Indiana College Core
- AP scholar with distinction
- Cambridge AICE diploma
- IB diploma
- Complete at least 100 hours of work-based learning
- Demonstrate skill development in the following areas: communication, collaboration and work ethic
Employment
Earn the Honors Employment Seal, plus:
- Earn a market-driven credential of value that may include, for example:
- Associate degree
- Technical certificate
- Indiana College Core
- Advanced industry certificate
- Complete additional, focused work-based learning (total of 650 hours in one or more experiences) that may include, for example:
- Pre-apprenticeship
- Modern youth apprenticeship
- Demonstrate skill development in communication, collaboration, work ethic and any additional skills determined locally
Enlistment and service
Earn the Honors Enlistment Seal, plus:
- Achieve a score of 50 or higher on the ASVAB
- Demonstrate excellence in leadership through one of the following:
- Completion of at least 100 hours of public service
- Holding a leadership role in a co/extracurricular activity
- Completion of two seasons of a team-based physical sport or activity.
In letters that accompanied the draft, many officials, including leaders in higher education institutions and representatives from public school groups, praised the new diploma requirements.
"Thank you for the open-minded willingness to provide a broad range of choices and clearly illuminated pathways for all high school students," Purdue President Mung Chiang said in a letter to Jenner. "...Hoosier high school students will benefit from the additional choices and the flexibility."
Indiana University President Pamela Whitten also praised the new program in a letter to the department, stating that the new draft provides "much needed guidance" in the development of the high school graduation plans.
"It is our hope that these seals will be encouraged as mutually contributory options, where students are prepared for, and informed of, the rich range of possibilities across the Indiana post-secondary education and employment landscape, including efforts to expose high school students to work-based learning opportunities sooner," Whitten said in the letter.
In his letter, Robert Taylor, the executive director of the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents, commended the department for "elevating academic standards while simultaneously offering increased flexibility and curricular relevance for Indiana students."
"We believe that these new diploma requirements will not only enhance the academic achievements of Indiana's students but will also significantly improve their readiness to contribute meaningfully to our communities and economy," Taylor said.
Officials said over the next few weeks, the second draft will be finalized and posted on the department's website, kicking off a second round of public comment. State law requires the State Board of Education to adopt the state's new high school diploma rule by the end of the year.
State statute says that Indiana's current graduation requirements will sunset on Oct. 1, 2028, making final requirements effective for all students, beginning with the class of 2029. Schools can opt in with the new requirements beginning with the 2025-26 school year.