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State adopts new high school diploma; district reviews changes and approves course proposals
Summary
District staff briefed the board on Indiana's new single high school diploma (effective for the class of 2029), explained credit and course changes, discussed implications for special education and career-technical courses, and the board approved proposed course additions.
The Indiana State Board of Education has finalized a new single high school diploma that will take effect for the class of 2029, and South Madison Community School Corporation staff briefed trustees on the changes and recommended course additions to align the district schedule.
At the board meeting Mr. Kreuer told trustees the state’s new diploma increases the minimum credits required from 40 to 42 and adds three required courses: personal finance, a computer science course and a course titled Preparing for College and Careers. “That is in part due to three new required courses, personal finance, a computer science course, and preparing for college and careers,” Kreuer said. He said the diploma also increases flexibility in how students meet credit requirements, removes separate diploma tracks (core 40, technical honors, academic honors and general) and introduces optional readiness seals for college, career and military preparation.
Kreuer told the board the new diploma will apply to students who enter 9th grade in the 2025–26 school year (the class of 2029) and that current high school students will continue toward the Core 40 diploma. He said the district is awaiting state approval of some career-technical courses as eligible to satisfy math requirements and that the administration plans to add a technical math course to the course catalog so it can be available to students if it receives DOE approval.
Board members asked whether the new rules will accommodate students receiving special education services. Kreuer said the diploma does not call out special education students specifically but that added flexibility in approved course options should help students who struggle in traditional courses. He noted the state also has an alternate diploma option for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
Trustees voted to approve the course proposals presented by administration (agenda item 7.1). The motion to approve the new and revised course offerings passed on a roll-call vote.
Superintendent Dr. Hall and Kreuer said administrators will continue working with middle- and high-school staff to schedule classes and ensure staff capacity as the district implements the new requirements over the next several years.
