Franklin task force outlines how Indiana's new graduation rules will change high school coursework

Mister Wagner, the evening's presenter, told the Franklin strategic task force that Indiana has introduced a new set of high-school graduation requirements that will apply to current freshmen (the class of 2029). "The state created a new set of graduation requirements that are starting to be in place this year for our current freshmen," he said, and handed attendees a comparison showing differences from the old Core 40 diploma.

Wagner said two notable additions are a required computer science course and a personal finance requirement. "All students have to take and pass a computer science course," he said, and added that the state's drafting led to a transition rule: current sophomores must take personal finance but are not required to pass it, while freshmen under the new rules must pass the course to meet graduation standards. To ease schedule pressure, Franklin plans to combine economics and personal finance into a single two'credit course for next year.

The presenter emphasized that the state intentionally built more flexibility into the diploma. "Algebra I is now the only math requirement," Wagner said, noting students may take a range of state'approved math courses afterward rather than being required to take geometry or Algebra II. Lab science options were also broadened: biology remains required for many students, but chemistry or other lab science courses can satisfy the lab science component.

Wagner described the state's reworking of honors pathways into three "seals" aligned to post'graduation plans: enrollment (college), employment (workforce) and enlistment (military/first responders), plus an honors'plus category for additional distinction. He said students who complete the enrollment-plus seal are "automatically admitted to any public university in the state of Indiana," while cautioning that program'level admission (for example, selective engineering programs) is not guaranteed.

The changes also include reductions in some traditional requirements: world language and social studies credits were adjusted and physical education graduation credit dropped from two credits to one, with some middle'school courses offering high'school credit that can be applied toward the requirement.

Why it matters: Districts nationwide, including Franklin, will need to reconfigure schedules and advising to accommodate two additional credits and new course requirements, while also helping students and families understand the senior'year demonstration options and honors pathways. Wagner said the district has printed comparison documents for families and will pursue parent'facing communications to clarify the new rules.

The task force noted a scheduling trade'off tied to the statewide assessment: every student still takes the SAT in their junior year, and participants observed the SAT'mathematics section relies heavily on algebra and geometry content that students may no longer be required to take. The group did not resolve how best to align elective flexibility with the assessment.

The district also referenced a pending technology effort to track progress. Moderator said the district has applied for a state grant to adopt a platform that helps parents engage with graduation pathways; Wagner said the district already has a "Graduation Pathways" platform that includes a counselor'facing tracker and a parent portal to monitor progress toward diplomas.

Next steps: The task force will continue planning over the summer; the district will notify families about course options and the outcome of the state grant application in June.