INDIANAPOLIS — On Wednesday, the Indiana State Board of Education unanimously approved the final draft of new high school diploma requirements for Hoosier students.
The new requirements include significant updates to the state’s previous standards, including the addition of honors and honors plus seals, and went through several draft phases. The board was required to approve a final draft by Dec. 31.
This came after officials from the department presented their second draft of the proposed requirements in August. Since then, the department opened up another round of public comment, giving residents the chance to share their thoughts on the proposal.
According to previous reports, the State Board of Education is required by state law to adopt Indiana’s new high school diploma standards by the end of the year. Indiana’s current graduation requirements will sunset on Oct. 1, 2028, and the new requirements will be effective for all students beginning with the class of 2029. However, districts are able to opt into the new requirements starting with the 2025-26 school year.
What does the final draft consist of?
According to the department’s final draft, the new diploma structure includes minimum requirements for every student, plus the opportunity for students to earn readiness seals aligned with a path. The base requirements for each student, consisting of 42 credits, include:
- Eight English credits
- This includes two credits of English 9, one credit for a communications-focused course and five additional English credits.
- Seven Math credits
- This is an increase of one credit from the current diploma plan.
- This includes two credits of Algebra I, one credit for personal finance and four additional math credits.
- Seven Science, Technology and Engineering credits
- This is an increase of one credit from the current diploma plan
- This includes two credits of Biology I, one credit for computer science, two additional science credits and two STEM-focused credits.
- Five Social Studies credits
- This is a decrease of one credit from the current diploma plan
- This includes two U.S. History credits, one U.S. Government credit and two World Perspectives credits, including advanced world language or world-focused social studies courses.
- Two PE/Health credits
- This is a decrease of one credit from the current diploma plan
- This includes one credit for Physical Education and one credit for Health and Wellness.
- 12 credits for Personalized Electives
- Officials said students are encouraged to utilize the new readiness seals to align these personalized electives with their unique goals. Electives include Career and Technology Education (CTE) courses, performing or fine arts courses and world languages.
- One College and Careers credit
With the new plan, students will have the opportunity to earn either an honors seal or an honors plus seal in three different categories: enrollment, employment or enlistment and service.
“Although seals are optional, students are encouraged to utilize the blueprints… to focus their flexible credits into a connected pathway that aligns with their future goals,” the department said. “Students may earn one or multiple seals. Graduation pathways requirements will be satisfied through completion of any seal.”
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
- Introduction to Public Service course or approved locally-created equivalent
- 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
- Earn a credential of value that may include:
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
- Earn a market-driven credential of value that may include:
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.
- Complete one of the following:
What is the response to the final diploma proposal?
Officials throughout the state’s education spectrum publicly gave their support for the implementation of the updated Indiana high school diploma.
Mung Chiang, the president of Purdue University, said that the university is excited about the “accelerated progress” that this updated diploma would bring to high schools in the state of Indiana.
“Thank you again for your willingness to provide a broad range of choices and clearly illuminated pathways for all high school students,” Chiang said in the letter.
Pamela Whitten, the president of Indiana University, also expressed her support for the final proposal, stating that it provides “much needed guidance to families, students and educators in the development of high school graduation plans that prepare Hoosier students for postsecondary enrollment, employment and enlistment.”
“It is our belief that the options provided through the new diplomas will help ensure students are prepared for, and informed of, the rich range of possibilities across the Indiana post-secondary education and employment landscape,” Whitten said, “including efforts to expose high school students to work-based learning opportunities sooner.”
Representing the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents, Robert Taylor, the executive director of the association, said they also support the new requirements, commending the department for “its commitment to elevating academic standards while simultaneously offering increased flexibility and curricular relevance for Indiana students.”
Taylor said the association believes that the new requirements will enhance the academic achievements of the state’s students and will improve their readiness after high school.
“The new diploma requirements represent a significant step forward in preparing our students for a rapidly changing world,” Taylor said in the letter. “By integrating more rigorous academic expectations with the flexibility to tailor educational experiences to individual student needs, these guidelines ensure that every graduate is ell-equipped for the diverse pathways they may choose, whether that be higher education, enlistment or entering the workforce.”
What’s next?
Now that the rule has been approved by the State Board of Education, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has 45 days to sign off on the new diploma proposal before it heads to the governor’s desk. Governor-elect Mike Braun will be officially sworn into office on Jan. 13, 2025.
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