The high school diploma has not changed much over the years and is typically quite similar from state to state. Indiana is seeking to deviate from that standard. Much has been made of Indiana’s proposed diploma shift, but what does it actually mean?

The proposal seeks to consolidate diplomas while aligning them with the state’s graduation pathways and the Indiana Graduate Prepared to Succeed (Indiana GPS) characteristics. The proposed diplomas, Indiana GPS Diploma and Indiana GPS Diploma Plus, would focus on essential knowledge and skills during the first two years of high school, allowing for more personalized and flexible learning experiences in the final two years.

Indiana GPS Diploma:

• A more flexible version of the current Core 40 diploma.
• Academic mastery
• Career and postsecondary readiness (credentials and experiences)
• Communication and collaboration
• Civic, financial, and digital literacy
• Learning in ninth and tenth grades focuses on essential knowledge and skills, achieved through foundational courses aligned to Indiana GPS characteristics.
• Additional flexibility and personalization are allowed in 11th and 12th grades.

Indiana GPS Diploma Plus:

• Emphasizes work-based learning requirements.
• Practical experience and skills relevant to students’ career paths.
• Still required to complete some foundational courses and competencies.

Some critics of the new plan claim that it cuts out classes like world history. Many have theorized that a student using the new diploma track would run into issues if they were to attend an out-of-state school. However, proponents of the new plan say that it offers more options, particularly for students who have little interest in college and want to join the workforce immediately.

The proposal would not go into effect immediately. Read the full proposal here.