State hears concerns, revamps diploma proposal

After receiving more than 8,000 online comments and hours of testimony, Indiana Department of Education has presented a “significantly updated” second draft of a proposal to redesign high school diploma requirements, a news release said.

The revised proposal presented to Indiana’s State Board of Education on Aug. 14 has been simplified to include one base diploma with minimum requirements for every student, as well as the opportunity for students to earn readiness seals aligned with their unique path.

The proposed base diploma includes increased flexibility and course options for earning credits in core content areas, such as English, math, science, social studies, physical education and health. In addition to these core content areas, students will also take personalized electives that can include a variety of courses, such as career and technical education, performing or fine arts, and/or world languages.

Helping students focus their coursework in core content areas and electives toward an intentional pathway connects them to what’s next; they will have the option to earn readiness seals in college enrollment, employment and/or military enlistment.

The proposed honors seals are similar to the opportunities many Hoosier students have today, such as the current academic honors designation, and are designed even more intentionally.

The honors plus seals are designed to increase skill development, work-based learning experiences and opportunities for students to increase their educational attainment by earning a credential of value.

State officials said feedback on the first draft emphasized these themes:

• Balancing the need for flexibility and student choice, while ensuring a well-rounded education for all students,
• Ensuring diploma requirements are rigorous and attainable and prepare every student for success regardless of their post-high school plans, 
• Elevating the importance of experiential learning opportunities, such as work-based learning or a mentorship experience, while increasing access and ensuring safety for all students, and
• Providing sufficient resources needed for school corporations to implement this work statewide. 

At its meeting, IDOE shared multiple letters from K-12, higher education, business and industry leaders supporting the new proposal and sharing appreciation for the collaborative process that led to the revised second draft. Sources included Purdue, Indiana, Ball State, Indiana State and Vincennes universities, Ivy Tech Community College, and state associations for public school superintendents, principals and counselors.

Over the next few weeks, the second draft of the diploma rule will be finalized and posted on IDOE’s website.

That will kick off a second round of public comment before a final draft being presented later this fall. The public can comment for 30 days online or via an in-person public hearing.