After significant changes were made by Indiana education officials, a proposed high school diploma overhaul has gained support from multiple state colleges and universities that previously expressed skepticism. Photo from Getty Images.

By Casey Smith
Indiana Capital Chronicle

INDIANA — The Indiana Department of Education made significant changes to a proposed high school diploma overhaul on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 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.”

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.

Breaking Down The Seals

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.

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.

Indiana Secretary of Education Katie 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.

Jenner 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.

Some Hesitancies Remain

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.

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.

What Happens Next

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.