§ 20-19-2-21 — Establishment of standard diploma and new high school diploma requirements; designations; rules

(a) The state board shall establish one (1)
standard Indiana diploma for individuals who successfully complete
high school graduation requirements before October 1, 2028. This
subsection expires October 1, 2028.
(b) Each Indiana diploma established under subsection (a) must
include one (1) of the following designations if an individual meets the
criteria established by the state board for the designation:
(1) General designation.
(2) Core 40 designation.
(3) Core 40 with academic honors designation.
(4) Core 40 with technical honors designation.
This subsection expires October 1, 2028.
(c) The state board shall establish one (1) standard Indiana diploma
for individuals who:
(1) are students in a cohort that is expected to graduate in 2029 or
thereafter; and
(2) successfully complete high school graduation requirements.
(d) The Indiana diploma established under subsection (c) must
include a diploma designation established under subsection (e) if an
individual meets the criteria established by the state board for the
designation.
(e) Subject to subsection (g), the state board shall establish diploma
designations that indicate a student is adequately prepared for one (1)
or both of the following:
(1) Direct entry into the workforce upon graduation.
(2) Postsecondary education aligned to the student's chosen career
path.
(f) The state board, in consultation with the department, shall
establish new high school diploma requirements for the Indiana
diploma established under subsection (c) to replace 511 IAC 6-7.1.
When establishing new high school diploma requirements, the state
board shall consider input received from the following:
(1) Educators.
(2) The commission for higher education.
(3) Approved postsecondary educational institutions (as defined
in IC 21-7-13-6(a)).
(4) Entities that represent business interests across multiple
industries.
(g) The diploma designations established under subsection (e) must:
(1) explore competency based methods to demonstrate
proficiency in a course or skill area required for graduation;
(2) promote lifelong learning with a goal of increasing a student's
postsecondary educational attainment;
(3) include, as part of at least one (1) designation, a requirement
that the student successfully completes a quality work based
learning experience aligned to the student's postsecondary goals;
and
(4) include, as part of at least one (1) designation, a requirement
that a student successfully:
(A) obtained a credential described in IC 20-43-8-15.5;
(B) earned a top distinction or a diploma established by an
advanced course work program that:
(i) is nationally recognized for its rigor; and
(ii) includes an examination of student competency;
(C) completed Indiana college core (IC 21-42-3); or
(D) completed requirements for an associate degree, including
those earned through transfer as a junior pathways.
(h) Not later than December 31, 2024, the state board shall adopt
rules under IC 4-22-2 to implement this section.

Legislative History

As added by P.L.192-2018, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.202-2023, SEC.10; P.L.150-2024, SEC.3.