new diploma requirements

The Indiana House advanced a bill ensuring homeschool diplomas are recognized equally.

Colleges and universities across Indiana will feel the impacts of the state’s new high school graduation requirements. One of those impacts involves the state’s goal to make it easier for students to earn college credit while they are still in high school.

The Indiana Department of Education announced drastic changes to a controversial new diploma proposal on Wednesday based on community concerns. Although it is still early in the process, educator feedback on the new draft has been mostly positive so far.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jennifer McCormick criticized the state’s plan for new high school diplomas Monday. She said the proposed diplomas are not rigorous enough and are not easily understandable for parents, students and educators.

The Indiana Department of Education is still considering sweeping changes to the state’s high school graduation requirements that will create two new diplomas and get rid of all existing diplomas — including academic honors. Students, parents and teachers continue to express concern over the new diplomas’ rigor and the courses that will be offered.

Indiana high school students could see changes to their diploma requirements as soon as the 2025-26 school year. The new diplomas are still proposals, but the state plans to approve the finalized changes this fall.