Education is constantly changing. Whether it be technology or academic programs, it’s always evolving. However, no state has ever challenged the traditional trajectory like Indiana is now.
All Hoosier high schoolers currently follow relatively the same path to obtaining forty credits across the span of three to four years. This is known as the Core 40 Diploma, which can be achieved with technical and academic honors designations as well.
The Indiana Graduates Prepared to Succeed Diploma, shortened to the GPS Diploma, is aimed to prepare students for life after high school in general, not just college. The following changes are set to take place for the incoming freshman class: the Class of 2029.
Instead of taking four years of English, students will take one year of English before taking one communications focused class, such as speech or journalism, and five additional English credits such as creative writing or debate.
All other core credit subjects have changes like this coming. Penn Principal, Dr. Sean Galiher, was on the committee that planned the changes coming to Indiana this year.
“ALL OTHER CORE CREDIT SUBJECTS HAVE CHANGES LIKE THIS COMING. PENN PRINCIPAL… DR SEAN GALIHER… WAS ON THE COMMITTEE THAT PLANNED THE CHANGES COMING TO INDIANA THIS YEAR.
“What you’ll see with the new diploma is that there’s more flexibility with the math sequence specifically,” he said. “Students with the new diploma will have to take Algebra 1. If they’re not pursuing a seal, they would take two different math classes that are not Algebra 2 or Geometry.
Similar to Technical and Academic Honors for the Core 40, the GPS Diploma features additional certifications students can aim to achieve: employment, enlistment, and service. On top of that, students in the Class of 2029 and later can aim for an Honors or Honors Plus Seal.
The main requirement of an Honors Seal is to show college preparedness, be it in a S-A-T score or obtaining college credit. An Honors Seal will require two years of world language as opposed to the Core 40’s three years, and no fine arts class will be required.
“Even though a fine arts credit is not required for the Enrollment Seal, we’re still encouraging kids to take those fine arts courses that they’ve been accustomed to taking,” Galiher said.
The Core 40 Diploma has been set in place since 2007, and a lot has changed around the world since then, especially in high schools across America.
“The trend data that the state has been reviewing has suggested that, with not every kid going to college, what are some other pathways in high school that can be put in place to help students move towards a trajectory that will make them successful but also provide flexibility in their high school experience that will get them to some type of credential or experience that will set them up for success. Whether it be going right into the workforce or doing something that’s maybe not going to college, the new diplomas will provide flexibility to be able to do that.
As this story continues to develop, PNN will be on the case all the way through.
Marie Roach 
James Mason 
Kelly Kubinski