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Muncie board adopts redesigned high-school curriculum handbook and new Indiana diploma implementation
Summary
The board approved updates to the high-school curriculum handbook tied to the state's new Indiana diploma: credit requirements rise to 42, six diploma seals are added, and the handbook adds Freshman Academy, Freshman Seminar and computing foundations as required coursework.
The Muncie Community Schools board voted to adopt an updated high-school curriculum handbook that implements the state's new diploma framework and new course requirements.
Mister Graham, the district curriculum presenter, told trustees the handbook incorporates the stateadopted "new Indiana diploma," which will replace the Core 40 for incoming cohorts and increases credit requirements from 40 to 42. "The new Indiana diploma replaces the core 40," he said, outlining six diploma seals (enrollment, employment, enlistment and 'honors plus' variants) and new required coursework, including personal finance and a computing foundations course to meet the computer-science requirement.
The handbook adds a Freshman Academy and a Freshman Seminar course intended to help incoming freshmen transition to high school and make informed course choices. The district also included an "honor graduate" policy aligned with collegiate Latin honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude) and noted the district will no longer designate a single valedictorian or salutatorian for the graduating class that first uses the policy; staff said the change originated with student leaders.
Trustees asked how counselors would advise students about pathway choices and whether the redesign could unintentionally steer students away from postsecondary pursuits. Presenter Graham said counselors, career coaches and a freshman-on-track coordinator will work with students and families; the district is providing professional development to staff and scheduled an eighth-grade parent night on Feb. 13 to begin family outreach.
After discussion, the board moved, seconded and approved the handbook and redesign in a voice vote. District staff were thanked for preparatory work; next steps include continuing counselor PD, finalizing approved IDOE course lists, and monitoring state guidance on documentation and tracking for seals.
