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District outlines new default diploma and honor seals as state requirements change
Summary
District staff presented diploma-task-force recommendations to align with a December 2024 State Board of Education decision: a 42-credit default readiness diploma with optional honor seals in enrollment, employment or enlistment, new required courses and middle-school preparatory steps; implementation is planned for the class of 2029.
District staff presented a set of recommendations to align Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township graduation requirements with changes adopted by the State Board of Education in December 2024.
Mister Nader told the board the district formed a diploma task force in January and convened administrators, principals and department chairs to produce recommendations. "Implementation of the new high school diploma will be for the class of 2029," staff said, noting that current eighth graders will be affected.
Mister Harsha outlined specific changes: a communications-focused course requirement, a new personal-finance credit, a computer-science credit in science requirements, a reduction in social-studies credits from six to five, one fewer PE credit, and combined electives to create flexibility. The state also created readiness "seals" covering enrollment, employment and enlistment; students can opt into one or more seals and may earn additional honors-plus seals through work-based learning experiences.
Staff recommended setting the district default diploma to the 42-credit readiness honor seal and preserving fine-arts requirements inside the personalized electives. For middle school, staff proposed enrolling all eighth graders in the required computer science and "preparing for college and career" courses, with options for deferment to high school when families request it.
Board members asked how the district will communicate changes, especially to families whose preferred language is not English, and whether the changes risk tracking students prematurely. Harsha said communication will begin in eighth grade, materials will be translated and family liaisons will provide one-on-one support. He also cautioned that switching seals later may be constrained by differing work-based learning requirements.
District staff said many implementation details will be worked out at the building level and through the curriculum advisory council, and they will return with recommended procedures and family-engagement plans.
