Tri‑Creek administrators outline new Indiana diploma rules; board approves nonstandard course waivers

At its Feb. 13 meeting, Tri‑Creek School Corporation administrators briefed the board on Indiana’s new high‑school diploma requirements for the class of 2029 and asked the board to approve the district’s submission of nonstandard course waivers to the Indiana Department of Education; the board approved the submission by voice vote.

The presentation, led by Principal Tammy Doherty and Associate Principal Shannon Missouri of Lowell High School, summarized how the state’s new diploma shifts course requirements—affecting English, math, science, social studies, PE/health and elective pathways—and how the district plans new course offerings, pathway requirements and “seals” that replace the prior honors/technical honors diplomas.

The changes are intended to take effect for incoming freshmen who will graduate in 2029. Tammy Doherty, principal of Lowell High School, said the new diploma “is not a whole lot that’s different” from Core 40 for college‑bound students but adds flexibility: “We wanted to, of course, not reduce our rigor. We wanted to prepare our kids for rigorous coursework to prepare them for their post‑secondary goals,” Doherty said.

Major shifts explained to the board included: - English: still 8 credits total; at least one credit must be communications focused and the district plans a semester of world literature and a semester of “critical thinking and argumentation” for sophomore English within two years. - Math: Algebra I is required; students must complete two additional math credits (one must be a personal finance course). The district plans business math, probability/statistics tracks and continued options for college‑bound…