Starting with the class of 2029, there could be a new set of diploma requirements for Indiana high school students. The Indiana Department of Education has been working on a proposal that would get rid of the Core 40 and Honors diplomas that students are receiving now. The main changes of this new high school track include an increased focus on career and technical education and a stronger emphasis on demonstrating skills through projects or work-based experiences. The new diploma will emphasize the sciences, especially tech, rather than the arts. Computer science is being added as a graduation requirement, and foreign languages will be removed as one. Graduation seals are also a new addition offering students honors opportunities toward futures in enrollment, enlistment, and employment.
Q: Why are these changes being implemented?
A: The Indiana Department of Education believes that the current diploma system doesn’t fully prepare students for the demands of the modern world or college. The new requirements are supposed to give students more opportunities to gain practical experience and build skills that are in high demand such as STEM jobs and tech jobs. In addition, Indiana students have struggled with military enlistment requirements the last few years, as more and more students are failing to perform well enough on tests or physical examinations. Enlistment rates have dropped over 40% since 2018. The new proposed diploma program is meant to help students complete checklists to qualify physically and mentally for whatever future they choose.
Jackson Creek’s Zach Gerber, who will be part of the second graduating class under the new system, shared his thoughts after hearing about the changes. “I think it will give me more confidence once I’m grown up and out of school.” Gerber said, adding that he enjoys hands-on learning and thinks the new work-based project-centered education will make school more engaging for him then it has been in the past
Q: What are graduation seals? How do they work?
A: Graduation seals are accomplishments that students can tack on to their diploma, proving that they are prepared for a specific post-graduation path, whether that’s Enrollment, Enlistment, and Employment. Each seal has a different checklist that students will need to complete. This could involve completing certain courses, achieving a certain amount of work experience hours, or meeting enlistment requirements. These seals help students show with actions rather than words how ready they are for life beyond high school.
Q: How will these changes affect the classes we need to take?
A: Students will still need to complete core academic subjects like English, math, science, and social studies, but they will need more science credits than before. In addition, work experience hours will increase. There will also be more flexibility in how students can earn credits. Students will be able to count an internship or a project-based class toward their graduation requirements. Also, there will be new pathways that allow students to focus on specific career fields like healthcare, tech, or manufacturing.
Q: Will these changes make it harder to graduate?
A: The main goal of this new diploma is to make sure that students are better prepared for their life after high school, so the new requirements are more time-consuming and might seem more challenging because they involve more real-world work hours. However, the Department of Education is also providing more support and resources to help students meet these new expectations. Students will also be able to enjoy more personalized electives, catered towards the pathway they choose, which will help their general happiness.
Not everyone is optimistic about the proposed changes and some are expressing concern about the pressure that new diploma requirements will add to students’ lives. BHSS counselor Joel McKay shared his worries about the proposed system: “(this change) is another example of state legislation being disconnected with what’s happening in schools.” McKay believes that even though the new diploma system has good intentions, it will only cause students more stress than they already are experiencing under the current system.
Q: Has this new proposal been confirmed?
A: The current proposal was first introduced on August 14th. A final decision will be made by the end of December 2024.
Q: When will these changes take effect?
A: The new diploma requirements will start with students who are currently in eighth grade. For current high school students, the current core forty diploma requirements will stay in place.
Q: Where can we get more information?
A: Parents and students can visit the Indiana Department of Education’s website to find a complete presentation and diagram of the proposed changes being made to the diploma.
