State education officials are putting forward new ideas for how Indiana teens should graduate high school.
The officials’ latest proposal to rework Indiana high school diploma requirements steps away from a previous plan, and suggests all students should earn the same base level of credits to graduate.
It further allows students to customize their education with stackable “seals” that propose coursework and high school experiences aligned with teens’ potential next steps after high school.
State education officials gave this proposal their approval in a State Board of Education meeting on Dec. 11. It came after a previous plan saw criticism from Indiana’s top universities about a perceived lack of rigor preparing college-bound students for applications and admissions.
State officials say their latest plan is now headed to the attorney general and governor for their final approval. They say they expect support from both. If approved, the new graduation requirements would take effect with students graduating high school in spring 2029. Schools can choose to opt in as soon as the 2025-26 school year.
Click here for Mirror Indy’s guide to the state’s past diploma proposals. Keep reading here for the details of the latest proposal.
This story was updated Dec. 11 after state education officials unanimously voted to approve their preferred draft of changes to Indiana’s high school graduation requirements.
How to earn an Indiana high school diploma
All Indiana high school students would be required to complete the same base diploma, adding up to 42 credits. Under the proposal, students must complete ALL of the following:
Language arts (8 credits)
- Two credits in English 9
- One credit in a communications course
- Five additional English credits
Math (6 credits)
- Two credits in Algebra I
- Four additional math credits
Personal financial responsibility (1 credit)
- One credit of a personal financial responsibility course
Science (4 credits)
- Two credits in Biology I
- Two additional science credits
Computer science (1 credit)
- One credit of a computer science course
STEM (2 credits)
- Two credits in science, technology, engineering or math
Social studies (5 credits)
- Two credits in U.S. history
- One credit in U.S. government
- Two credits in world perspectives
- State officials say students will have flexible options to fulfill world perspectives using courses such as world language or a world focused social studies class.
Physical education (1 credit)
- One credit of a physical education course
Health and wellness (1 credit)
- One credit of a health and wellness course
Personalized electives (12 credits)
State officials say students would be encouraged to use these credits to work toward a readiness seal that matches their goals after high school. Examples of courses that could fulfill personalized electives credits include career and technical education classes, performing and fine arts, and world languages.
College and careers (1 credit)
State officials say this credit would likely be fulfilled with an existing career and technical education course called Preparing for College and Careers. The course fulfills some requirements lawmakers recently approved to take effect in 2030.
Students would also need to demonstrate college are career readiness by both:
Completing a project-based, work-based or service-based learning experience
Completing one of the following:
- Score at or above the national benchmark for the SAT or ACT
- Achieve a score of 31 or higher on the the ASVAB exam
- Earn an industry-recognized or postsecondary readiness credential
- Complete an apprenticeship program
- Complete a career and technical education concentrator
- Earn at least a “C” average in three Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, dual credit or Cambridge International courses
- At least one of these courses must be an English, math, science or social studies class
- Complete a state-approved pathway created in a student’s local community
Plus, students would also have the option of pursuing one or more “seals” to add to their diploma. State officials stress these seals are optional, but may be preferred by industries students may look to enter after high school. Completing a seal could also fulfill the college and career readiness requirement above.
Students could choose to pursue one or more of the following seals at one of two levels — honors or honors plus.
Enrollment
Honors
- Complete as least four world language credits
- Complete at least six social studies credits
- Complete at least eight math credits including
- Two credits of Algebra I
- Two credits of Geometry
- Two credits of Algebra II
- Two credits of an additional advanced math course
- Complete at least six science credits
- Two credits of Biology I
- Two credits of chemistry
- Two credits of any lab science course
- Earn a “C” or higher in all courses and earn a cumulative “B” average
- Complete one of the following:
- Four credits in Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or Cambridge courses and take corresponding exams
- 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
Honors Plus
- Complete the above honors enrollment seal requirements, plus:
- Earn a credential of value that could include, for example, one of the following:
- An associate degree
- A technical certificate
- The Indiana College Core
- The AP Scholar with Distinction award
- The Cambridge AICE Diploma
- The IB Diploma
- Complete at least 75 hours of work-based learning
- This could include multiple experiences that are paid, unpaid, on-site or simulated, such as a job, internship or apprenticeship.
- Demonstrate skill development in communication, collaboration and work ethic
- Earn a credential of value that could include, for example, one of the following:
Employment
Honors
- Complete one of the following:
- A credential of value aligned to a specific occupation
- Three courses in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway
- An approved career preparation experience aligned to Indiana’s Career Scholarship Account program
- An approved, locally created pathway
- Complete at least 150 hours of work-based learning
- This could include multiple experiences that are paid, unpaid, on-site or simulated such as a job, internship or apprenticeship.
- Demonstrate skill development in communication, collaboration and work ethic
- Have no more than three unexcused absences in a school year
Honors Plus
- Complete the above honors employment seal requirements, plus:
- Earn a credential of value that could include, for example, one of the following:
- An associate degree
- A technical certificate
- The Indiana College Core
- An advanced industry certificate
- Earn a credential of value that could include, for example, one of the following:
- Complete at least 650 hours of work-based learning in one or more experiences that could include, for example, one of the following:
- Pre-apprenticeship
- Modern Youth Apprenticeship
- Demonstrate skill development in communication, collaboration, work ethic and any additional skills determined locally
Enlistment and service
Honors
- Complete one of the following:
- An introduction to public service course or local equivalent
- This would emphasize developing an awareness of the physical standards and character required for service
- One year of JROTC
- An introduction to public service course or local equivalent
- Achieve a score of 31 on the ASVAB exam and complete one of the following:
- All three components of the Career Exploration Program
- A career exploration tool approved by state education officials
- Have no more than three unexcused absences in a school year
- Demonstrate skill development in communication, collaboration and work ethic through a mentorship with current military personnel, veterans or other public safety officials
Honors Plus
- Complete the above honors enlistment seal requirements, plus:
- Complete one of the following:
- Achieve a score of 50 or higher on the ASVAB exam
- Enroll in ROTC at the collegiate level
- Be accepted to a service academy, such as West Point or the Naval Academy
- Complete one of the following:
- Demonstrate excellence in leadership through one of the following:
- Complete at least 100 hours of public service
- Maintain a leadership role in a co- or extracurricular activity
- Complete two seasons of a team-based physical sport or activity
What happens next
As education officials await final approval of the plan above, they’re seeking feedback on how best to roll out these changes.
Officials want to hear from educators, students and their families, business leaders, higher education officials and other community members about what they need for a smooth transition.
Those interested can share their thoughts in an online survey available on the Indiana Department of Education’s website.
Mirror Indy reporter Carley Lanich covers early childhood and K-12 education. Contact her at carley.lanich@mirrorindy.org or follow her on X @carleylanich.
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