Indiana board adopts redesigned high school diploma, adds Readiness seals and work-based learning options

The Indiana State Board of Education voted unanimously Dec. 11 to adopt a final rule (LSA #24-22) that redesigns the state high school diploma into one base diploma with optional Readiness seals for college enrollment, employment and military enlistment, and expands work-based learning and dual-credit pathways.

Secretary Jenner, who led the department’s presentation to the board, said the rule reflects months of public input and aims to give students more personalized postsecondary pathways. "We have spent hours and hours listening to the many comments and ideas from Hoosiers around our state," Secretary Jenner said, describing changes intended to balance flexibility with academic rigor.

Why it matters: state data presented at the meeting showed a gap between students’ stated plans and outcomes — roughly 76% of graduates say they plan to continue education but only about 53% do so — and persistent employer concerns about workplace skills such as communication, collaboration and work ethic. The board also cited military feedback that many students who want to serve are disqualified for enlistment requirements; presenters said the enlistment/service Readiness seal is intended to better prepare those students.

Key elements adopted include a single base Indiana diploma plus a menu of Readiness seals. The department described refinements: allowing blended college-credit options (AP, Cambridge and dual credit) to count toward an enrollment honor seal; adjusting required work-based learning hours for some seals (for example, 75 hours for the enrollment honors-plus pathway); and explicitly accepting Career Scholarship Account (CSA) options and locally created pathways for employment seals to improve access for nonpublic and rural schools. The department also plans an on-ramp to make independent-college dual credits transferable by 2029–2030.

Stakeholders pushed for flexibility and clearer pathways. "I am personally excited for the new high school diplomas and I support them," said Steve Baker, principal at Bluon High School, during the public-comment period, adding that his school intends to encourage students to earn seals. Jerel Blakeley, director for government, community and racial and social justice at the Indiana State Teachers Association, said the revised draft shows "considerable improvements around issues of academic rigor, flexibility and access." The Indiana National Guard and military leaders described mentoring and credentialing capacity to support enlistment-focused seals.

Implementation steps and timing: the department plans to publish eligible course titles and descriptions and comprehensive work-based learning guidance by early 2025, develop a credential-of-value list and an interactive advising tool to help students and counselors map pathways, and begin rulemaking on a new accountability model in mid-2025. Schools will not be permitted to opt in until the 2025–26 school year; students who opt in must earn at least one seal, and the class of 2029 is slated to be the first cohort at scale under the redesigned diploma.

Board action: a motion to adopt "the final version of this rule follow as LSA number 24-22 as the final adoptive rule of this board" was made and seconded; the board carried the motion by roll call vote, 11–0. The department said further guidance and implementation resources will be released in stages in 2025 and beyond.

What’s next: the department expects to work with the governor’s office and the General Assembly on funding and implementation supports. The board said it will hear examples from local schools that pilot locally created pathways and consider rulemaking on accountability tied to the new diploma structure.