INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana State Board of Education unanimously approved a change Wednesday to the state’s high school diploma requirements.
The new diploma structure outlines the minimum requirement for every Hoosier while providing new opportunities for students to earn certifications for additional credits.
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“We started this process by asking Hoosiers across the state, ‘how might we make the four years of high school as valuable as possible for students and better connect them to their unique future goals,’” said Indiana Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner “This new high school diploma will allow increased flexibility for students to personalize their journey, as well as increase access to both work-based learning and credentials of value.”
The changes come after more than a year of public feedback, where the board heard from educators, parents, and other education leaders.
Under Indiana State law, the board had to present two drafts and allow for a 30-day public comment period.
During the first public comment period from March to July, IDOE received more than 8,000 online comments and heard hours of testimony.
After changes included in a second draft, IDOE said they received 1,300 additional comments between October and November.
Most of the changes from the second to final draft focused on the new readiness seals.
DIPLOMA OPTIONS
In the new diploma structure, Hoosier students in grades 9-12 will be required to complete 42 credits to graduate up from 40 in the previous diploma rules.
The basic diploma requirement would include:
- English: Nine credits (previously eight)
- Two credits of English 9
- One credit for communications-focused course
- Five additional English credits
- Math: Seven credits (previously six)
- Two credits: Algebra I
- One credit: Personal Finance (NEW)
- Four additional math credits
- Science, Technology, Engineering: Seven credits (previously six)
- Two credits: Biology I
- One credit: Computer Science
- Two additional science credits
- Two STEM-focused credits
- Social Studies: Five credits (previously six)
- Two credits: U.S. History
- One credit: U.S. Government
- Two credits: World Perspectives (can include advanced world-language or world-focused social studies course)
- Eliminates one credit requirement of economics
- PE/Health: Two credits (previously three)
- One credit: Physical education (down from two)
- One credit: Health & Wellness
- Direct electives: Eliminated under new requirements
- Personalized electives: 12 credits (previously six)
- Students will use readiness-seals to align personalized electives
- Can include coursed like CTE, Performing or Fine Arts, World Languages, etc.
- College & Careers: One credit (NEW)
READINESS SEALS
Under the new diploma rules, students can choose from three readiness seals, with two levels for each option.
- Enrollment honors and Enrollment honors plus seals - Developed with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, in conjunction with colleges and universities
- Employment honors and Employment honors plus seals - Developed with the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and insights from Ascend Indiana's work with employers, in conjunction with the business representatives across multiple industries
- Enlistment honors and Enlistment honors plus seals - Developed with the Indiana National Guard, in conjunction with representatives from each military branch, as well as public safety officials
Honors seals are like current academic honors designations. Honors plus seals are designed to increase skill development, work-based learning experiences.
Students who earn a readiness seal will automatically fulfill all Graduation Pathways requirements.
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:
- Earn four credits in AP, IB or Cambridge courses and take corresponding exams
- Earn six college credits
- Score a 1250 on the SAT or a 26 on the ACT
- Complete two of the following:
- At least three college credits
- Two credits in AP courses and take corresponding exams
- Two credits in IB courses and take corresponding exams
- Two credits in Cambridge courses and take corresponding exams
Employment
- Complete one of the following:
- A market-driven credential of value aligned to a specific occupation
- Three courses in a Career and Technology Education (CTE) pathway
- An approved career preparation experience aligned to Indiana’s Career Scholarship Account (CSA) program
- An approved, locally created pathway
- Complete 150 hours of work-based learning
- May include multiple experiences that are paid, unpaid, on-site or simulated
- 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 in high school
- Achieve a score of 31 on the ASVAB and complete one of the following:
- All three components of the Career Exploration Program
- A career exploration tool approved by IDOE
- 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:
- Associate degree
- Technical certificate
- Indiana College Core
- AP Scholar with Distinction
- Cambridge AICE Diploma
- IB Diploma
- Complete at least 75 hours of work-based learning
- May include multiple experiences that are paid, unpaid, on-site or simulated
- 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:
- Associate degree
- Technical certificate
- Indiana College Core
- Advanced industry certificate
- Complete additional work-based learning (total of 650 hours in one or more experiences) that may include:
- 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:
- Complete one of the following:
- Achieve a score of 50 or higher on the ASVAB
- Enrollment in ROTC at the collegiate level
- Acceptance to a service academy
- 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.
NEXT STEPS
Public schools statewide will be required to adopt the changes by 2028, when the current graduation requirements expire, affecting the class of 2029, who are current eighth graders.
Until then, IDOE said the state will provide several resources to help with implementation, including:
- Eligible course titles and descriptions, by category
- Additional comprehensive work-based learning guidance, including a landscape analysis, complementing existing published guidance
- Market-driven credential of value list
- Interactive advising tool to support local implementation
- Increased flexibility on who can teach high school and college courses
- Rulemaking on new accountability model aligned to diplomas
The new diploma requirements head to Attorney General Todd Rokita, who has 45 days to sign off on the proposal before it heads to the governor.
