The Indiana State Board of Education has established specific course and credit requirements for students aiming to earn a high school diploma, designed to prepare them for future success. These requirements, effective for students entering high school from the fall of 2012 (Class of 2016) onwards, offer several diploma paths, each catering to different academic and career aspirations. Understanding these options is a crucial first career step, especially for students considering fields that value rigorous academic preparation, such as high honors coding and technology.
Indiana diplomas are available with the following designations:
- General Diploma
- Core 40 Diploma
- Core 40 with Academic Honors Diploma (AHD)
- Core 40 with Technical Honors Diploma (THD)
- Alternate Diploma
Furthermore, starting with the graduating class of 2023, students must also fulfill Graduation Pathways requirements, adding another layer to ensure students are well-rounded and prepared for life after high school.
Course & Credit Essentials for Indiana Diplomas
Since 2007, the Indiana General Assembly has mandated the Core 40 diploma as the standard for all high school students, recognizing its robust curriculum as a strong foundation for future endeavors. An opt-out provision exists, allowing parents to choose the General Diploma if they believe it better suits their child’s needs. It’s important to note that the Core 40 diploma became the minimum admission requirement for Indiana’s public four-year universities starting in 2011, highlighting its significance for higher education aspirations.
High schools in Indiana are obligated to provide opportunities for students to pursue any diploma designation approved by the State Board of Education. They cannot impose additional local credit requirements on students with disabilities beyond the state mandates, unless specified in the student’s Individual Education Program (IEP). Further details on these regulations are available here.
Alt: Indiana diploma options graphic showing Core 40, Academic Honors, and Technical Honors diplomas for career and academic pathways.
Graduation Pathways: Charting Your Course Beyond High School
For students in the class of 2023 and beyond, Graduation Pathways are a mandatory component of high school completion. These pathways ensure students not only meet diploma requirements but also develop essential employability skills and postsecondary readiness competencies. While a waiver is available for the postsecondary readiness competency requirement under certain circumstances, the diploma requirements and employability skills components remain essential.
Alt: Overview graphic of Indiana Graduation Pathways components including diploma, employability skills, and postsecondary readiness for student success.
Alternate Diploma: Supporting Diverse Learners
The Alternate Diploma is designed for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who participate in Indiana’s alternate assessment (I AM). Governed by Indiana Administrative Code (IAC) 7-32-93.5 and meeting criteria in 511 IAC 6-7.1-10, this standards-based diploma is awarded only when a case conference committee determines it is the most appropriate path for a student meeting specific eligibility requirements. It is not available to students who do not meet the outlined criteria in 511 IAC 7-32-93.5.
Resources:
- Graduation Pathways
- opt-out provision
- General Designation
- More information on diploma requirements
- waiver option
- I AM
