Second draft of reimagined Indiana high school diploma requirements receives positive responses

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) has been on a mission to reimagine Indiana’s high school diploma requirements but received major backlash from the public and educators on the first plan.

Now, the IDOE has crafted a new plan with a more balanced approach, presenting the second draft to the Indiana State Board of Education Wednesday.

The original plan proposed two diploma options, which received negative feedback due to its push towards workforce readiness. One plan eliminated requirements for math classes, fine arts, economics, world history, foreign language and more.

The new proposal sets a minimum requirement for each student, while also allowing student to earn “readiness seals” that are specific to career goals. In a press release from the Indiana Department of Education, they explained the seals each have two levels.

• 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

Indiana State Representative for District 6, Maureen Bauer, says this new plan allows for more flexibility among Hoosier students.

“What this new change to the diplomas does is allow the student to personalize or have the flexibility of their high school diploma to either choose a pathway of enrollment to a higher education after high school graduation or employment, either go directly into the workforce after high school, or they could enlist into service after high school,” said Bauer.

In the next few weeks, the second plan will open to another round of public comment, then the state law will require the plan to be adopted by December 31, 2024. If passed, the diploma changes will go into effect for Indiana students starting with the class of 2029.