Hauser principal outlines Indiana's new graduation diplomas and honor seals to local board

Chris Fortune, principal of Hauser High School, told the Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Corp Board on March 10 that Indiana's new graduation requirements will begin with the class of 2029 and give districts more flexibility in how students earn credits. "This is starting with the class of 2029," Fortune said, and schools may begin using the new framework during the 2025-26 school year.

Fortune said the state's model centers on a base Indiana diploma plus three honor seals aimed at different student goals: enrollment (college-focused), employment (career-focused) and enlistment (military-focused). "Our goal is for every student to graduate with one of these honor seals," he said, describing how the district will encourage students to plan for an honors path early.

Under the base diploma, Fortune said English and communications requirements are being restructured; the district will combine English 9 with a critical thinking and argumentation course so students earn both credits in one class. He described math as more sequential and therefore more constrained by staffing: students will still typically follow Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II, with personal finance required as a separate credit.

Science and STEM requirements include a required biology course, a computing foundations course aimed at digital literacy, two additional science credits and two STEM-focused credits. Fortune said many CTE and agricultural courses already count toward the STEM requirement.

Fortune reviewed Box Two and Box Three completion paths: students must complete project-, service- or work-based learning and then meet one of several performance measures such as testing benchmarks (ACT/SAT/ASVAB), earning an industry credential, completing a CTE concentrator or accruing AP/dual credits. He emphasized the district already offers multiple locally created pathways and CTE options.

The employment honor seal can be earned by obtaining a state-recognized credential or by completing a CTE concentrator and 150 hours of work-based learning. The enlistment seal requires an introductory public service course (still in development), a targeted ASVAB score and mentor verification. Fortune said the state also published a "menu of experiences" that broaden what counts as work-based learning, and the district plans to leverage local employer partnerships to help students earn required hours.

For families and students aiming for an "honors plus" designation, Fortune said requirements are substantially higher: the employment honors-plus path can demand up to 650 hours of work-based learning and other rigorous benchmarks that will favor students who plan and commit early.

Fortune and board members described implementation plans: counselors will begin conversations in seventh grade, and students may switch tracks early in high school though late changes become impractical. The board praised district counseling staff for planning and coordination; Fortune singled out Kelly for leadership on graduation planning.

The presentation concluded with the board accepting materials and asking staff to continue reporting on scheduling and counseling adjustments. No board action was required beyond receipt of the update; Fortune said the district will provide further updates and recommended course lists in coming weeks.