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Indiana walked back its original draft of future high school diplomas following mounting pressure from educators, higher education leaders and the public.
Now, there will be one, new base diploma and several seals for students to acquire as they decide whether or not to pursue college, a job or trade or a military career.
Most existing diplomas — the Core 40, honors and technical — sunset with the Class of 2028. This latest proposal incorporates parts of those diplomas through seals, including a version of the honors diploma.
State Board members praised the department for revisions to the diploma but also how feedback was managed. More than 8,000 comments were submitted on the initial diploma plan that included two separate degrees.
The public’s feedback advocated for continued flexibility with rigorous yet attainable courses, Secretary of Education Katie Jenner said Wednesday during the State Board of Education meeting. They also wanted the diploma to be simplified, she said.
Students who pursue the state’s base diploma don’t have to go beyond that. But those interested in going a step further by taking additional or more rigorous courses can earn seals.
What’s in the diploma’s second draft
The proposed base diploma requires 42 credits — an increase of two credits from the current Core 40 diploma. Students can also choose to earn approximately 60 credits.
Economics is not required in the base diploma. Students will now be required to take a health course, a change from the last draft. They must also complete a physical education class although student athletes can waive that credit.
A course that focuses on college and careers will be included in the diploma’s credits.
How optional diplomas seals work
Students who want to take additional classes beyond the requirement in the base diploma can earn a seal on their diploma for three post-graduation goals: honors, employment and enlistment.
For instance, a student who hopes to attend Purdue University would pursue an Honors seal but they can move to an employment track.
If a student acquires one seal, they fulfill Graduation Pathway requirements, which stem from a separate state rule meant to excite more students about college.
Students who earn a seal can choose a step up to a “plus” seal.
An honors, employment or enlistment seal plus would include at least one credential. Those credentials vary by path but could be Indiana College Core or more than 100 hours of work-based learning.
“Students who earn the base and do not earn a seal, they could still enroll or employ or enlist,” Jenner said.
The honors seal plus is more challenging and that’s on purpose, Jenner said.
The employment honors seal plus focuses on apprenticeships and a credential like for the honors seal. The enlistment seal plus prepares a student who wants to join the National Guard as an officer.
Those interested in West Point or the Naval Academy would need strong academic standards and service goals, so both an honors and enlistment seals could provide a path.
Indiana National Guard Maj. Gen. Dale Lyles said the state’s enlistment seal could help the more than 70 percent of students who are ineligible for service.
“There is no reason why we can't partner with counselors and schools to allow them to come to our drill weekend and to experience the military and to make that informed decision about what they want to do while they're in high school,” Lyles said.
How we got here
State Republican lawmakers have pushed a vision to “reinvent” traditional high school curriculum with an emphasis on more work-based learning options.
Gov. Eric Holcomb signed laws in the past two legislative sessions to alter high school curriculum and graduation requirements. A 2023 state law tasks the State Board of Education to adopt new requirements by the end of the year.
When the first version of the diploma was released in March, it was met with pushback from educators, parents and some students. Then last month several major universities weighed in to criticize the proposal and ask for significant changes.
“We wouldn’t be here today without being where we were in March,” board member Scott Bess said. “That’s really important to note.”
Bess said the latest proposal will help students innovate and try things out.
Following the updates, Purdue University President Mung Chiang said the revised seal options would help high school students meet curriculum requirements to enroll.
What is next
State education leaders will post the second draft in the coming weeks then the public can share more feedback.
There also expected to be another public hearing.
The new diploma would debut with the Class of 2029, although school districts can opt-in sooner.
Rachel Fradette is the WFYI Statehouse education reporter. Contact Rachel at rfradette@wfyi.org.
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