INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Education made significant changes to a proposed high school diploma overhaul on Wednesday, including offering just one baseline diploma for all graduates.
The announcement follows waves of criticism from Hoosier teachers, parents, and students over earlier diploma proposals that would broadly exclude certain course requirements, like those in history, foreign language, and fine arts.
Officials at multiple Indiana colleges and universities warned that the previously proposed high school diplomas would not meet university admission requirements.
The new diploma model — discussed by the State Board of Education during its monthly meeting on Wednesday — has reversed those concerns, earning support from leadership at Ball State, Indiana, Indiana State and Purdue universities, as well as Ivy Tech Community College.
Some parents and educators said they’re still digesting the changes, but told board members they support the move away from the “GPS Diploma” and “GPS Diploma Plus.”
“We did not stop until we got this to a better place for Indiana,” said Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner at Wednesday’s meeting. “The reality is … what we’re doing today is not working for thousands of kids.”
“But we have listened like you could not believe,” Jenner continued. “We have taken this very seriously and are beyond pumped to share this second draft.”
Under the updated draft, students can earn “readiness seals” for enrollment, employment, or enlistment corresponding with their future path of continued higher education, workforce, or military service.
Each readiness category has two possible seals — honors and honors plus.
The baseline diploma differs slightly from the current Core 40 diploma, requiring 42 credits instead of 40. Students can choose classes above that to meet the separate seal requirements.
Depending on the type of schedule a student is on — traditional seven periods or blocks — they can earn between 56 and 64 credits.
Read the entire Casey Smith story for the Indiana Capital Chronicle, here.
