Casey Smith
Indiana Capital Chronicle
The Indiana Department of Education made significant changes to a proposed high school diploma overhaul on Wednesday, including offering just one baseline diploma for all graduates.
The announcement follows waves of criticism from Hoosier teachers, parents and students over earlier diploma proposals that would broadly exclude certain course requirements, like those in history, foreign language and fine arts.
Officials at multiple Indiana colleges and universities additionally warned that the previously proposed high school diplomas would not meet university admission requirements.
The new diploma model — discussed by the State Board of Education during its monthly meeting on Wednesday — has reversed those concerns, earning support from leadership at Ball State, Indiana, Indiana State and Purdue universities, as well as Ivy Tech Community College.
Some parents and educators said they’re still digesting the changes, but told board members they support the move away from the “GPS Diploma” and “GPS Diploma Plus.”
“We have been not stopping until we got this to a better place for Indiana,” said Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner at Wednesday’s meeting. “The reality is … what we’re doing today is not working for thousands of kids.”
“But we have listened like you could not believe,” Jenner continued. “We have taken this very, very seriously, and are beyond pumped to share this second draft.”
Under the updated draft, students can earn “readiness seals” for enrollment, employment or enlistment that correspond with their future path of continued higher education, workforce or military service.
Each readiness category has two possible seals — honors and honors plus.
The baseline diploma differs slightly from the current Core 40 diploma, requiring 42 credits instead of 40. Students can choose classes above that to meet the separate seal requirements.
Depending on the type of schedule a student is on — traditional seven periods or blocks — they can earn between 56 and 64 credits.
House Democrat Leader Rep. Phil GiaQuinta, of Fort Wayne, said “A sign of good governance is the willingness to listen to the people.”
He noted that the department received more than 8,000 comments from the public and thanked Hoosiers for their engagement on the topic.
“Our caucus remains committed to ensuring Hoosier students have access to a well-rounded, public education that will present them with a stable future and unlimited career opportunities,” GiaQuinta said. “We hope the public will continue to stay involved as we learn more about the latest proposal.”
Coursework options, as well as approved work-based learning and apprenticeships, can translate to achieving seals.
If a student wants to go to a four-year college, they would generally need the enrollment honors seal, according to IDOE officials. The requirements for that seal equate to the existing academic honors diploma, which 35% of students are currently earning.
Those working toward the enrollment honors seal would take additional world languages, social studies, math and science credits. Students will need to earn a C or higher in all courses and certain marks on AP or other college exams.
Students who elect to take AP courses that count towards their seal, for example, must pass the class and end-of-year exam administered by the College Board.
“If we’re talking about currency, the way that an AP college credit flows to higher ed is if you get a three or higher,” Jenner said.
To go one step further, the enrollment honors plus seal would require students to earn an associate’s degree or similar credential, in addition to 100 hours of work-based learning.
If a student wants to move directly to the workforce, they would likely target an employment honors seal.
For that option, they would need a market-driven credential or three career and technical education courses; 100 hours of work-based learning, skill development and meeting an attendance goal.
An employment honors plus seal would add additional credentials or degrees and increase the work-based learning hours to 650.
Jenner said work-based learning can take place inside or outside of school, in-person or virtual, during the summer or school year, and can be paid or unpaid.
To earn the seal, students can complete multiple work experiences over multiple years. State officials additionally said there is no limit on how much traditional school a student can miss to do work-based learning.
Education officials said they want students to work with local industry in key sectors such as life sciences, technology, health care and advanced manufacturing. Details about which jobs will count — and which won’t — are still being hammered out, Jenner said.
Seals are optional, but students who earn one will automatically satisfy the Graduation Pathways requirements — which must be completed in order to receive a high school diploma.
IDOE officials noted that students can also earn more than one seal, if they choose.
“It’s really up to the students to personalize,” Jenner said. She emphasized, too, that the new model creates “clearer” paths to college, careers and public service while increasing flexibility for students and schools to meet diploma requirements.
Jenner said she expects the General Assembly will eventually incentivize the seals in the funding formula, just as associate’s degrees and credentials are now. Lawmakers could do so as early as the 2025 session when the next two-year state budget is approved.
“These updated changes will strengthen Indiana’s graduation requirements while providing flexibility to meet the needs of all students, including those who choose not to attend traditional college,” Republican Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston said in a Wednesday statement. “Students won’t be left behind as they can earn a postsecondary credential or certificate that will give them the skills and experience needed in the 21st century workforce. Because of the continued work and collaboration at all levels, Indiana will lead the nation in creating a relevant and student-focused high school experience.”
Like in the earlier diploma plan, Algebra II and economics would become optional and not required like they are currently.
State officials said input from Hoosier employers drove the decision. A personal finance requirement — approved by state lawmakers in 2023 — will be added to the baseline diploma, though.
Once they take Algebra I, students could then choose what classes to take to meet four more math credits.
Separately, in social studies, the proposed new diploma would create a two-credit requirement of world perspectives. That requirement could be met with advanced world language, or a “world-focused social studies course.”
Students and teachers from around the state have pleaded for Indiana education leaders to keep history, foreign language and fine arts courses as part of the diplomas’ foundational skills requirements.
College officials also emphasized foreign language credit requirements for entry.
“We heard a lot about, ‘Gosh, there’s not anything on world perspectives. There’s a lot going on in our world today.’ We agree,” Jenner said. “So, two credits in world perspectives — it absolutely could be world history, it could be world geography. Absolutely, it could also be a world-focused social studies course, or a current events course.”
Elective credits in world languages, fine arts, or career and technical education, along with six personalized electives, are currently required for students wanting Indiana’s existing Core 40 diploma.
The revised base diploma would simplify this to require 12 credits of student-choice electives.
Jenner said that students who play sports or participate in marching band, for example, could further count those experiences toward elective credits.
“In the past, we had any combination of world language, fine arts or Career Technical Education. We’re now, rather than calling them directed electives, we’re calling them personalized electives. So, they could absolutely include CTE, performing arts, visual arts, fine arts, world language, absolutely,” Jenner said. “But we are going to really encourage students to leverage the seals … these are the blueprints for success, depending on their personal dream.”
State education officials said the diploma plan will be published in the state register, which will trigger a new 30-day comment period. During that window, the state education board is expected to hold several in-person hearings. Comments can also be submitted online.
Changes can still be made after the comment period and before final adoption by the board, however.
Under a law passed by Indiana legislators in 2023, the state must adopt new diploma requirements by December.
Schools could choose to opt in and start offering the new diplomas as early as the 2025-26 academic year. The new diplomas will take effect for all Hoosier students beginning with the Class of 2029, who are entering eighth grade this fall.
Paramount to the new plan, according to state officials, is maximized “flexibility” for students to personalize learning pathways and experiences, including with college courses taken while still in high school, as well as the ability to count internships, apprenticeships, military experience and other work-based learning toward their graduation requirements.
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The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to giving Hoosiers a comprehensive look inside state government, policy and elections. The site combines daily coverage with in-depth scrutiny, political awareness and insightful commentary.
