The New Indiana Diploma
The New Indiana Diploma
Overview of the New Indiana Diploma
Starting with the class of 2029 (2024-2025's 8th graders), all students in the State of Indiana are required to meet new graduation requirements. An overview of these requirements are described on this page.
- Graduation and diploma requirements are set by the state. All schools issuing an Indiana diploma must meet these requirements. Though schools and school districts may offer differing courses, they have no flexibility to change the basic diploma structure.
- Though new required courses have been added, you will find increased flexibility for students. You'll also find greater encouragement for students to explore employment and enlistment readiness.
- The structure of The New Diploma is a base diploma that everyone will need to earn. Optional honors seals may be added to the base diploma. Honors seals are earned through specific coursework, academic performance, work based learning, and attendance. Differing seals have differing requirements.
- The new graduation requirements can be a bit overwhelming at first. There are at least seven diploma combinations! But based on our previous student graduation trends, ZCHS feels extremely comfortable in our student's capacity to graduate, earn honors seals, and matriculate successfully to a variety of post-secondary experiences.
Language Changes
The new diploma sunsets traditional language used to describe Indiana's diplomas. By 2029, phrases like Core 40 and Academic Honors will be completely phased out. Starting with the class of 2029 (2024-2025's 8th graders), new language will be used. Certain phrases, like graduation pathways and work based learning, will continue as they are now.
The following chart shows current and new diploma language. It is important to note that both sets of describers will be used for the next three years until the class of 2028 graduates. Though current and new language have similar context, their meanings are different. For example, the current Technical Honors is not the same as the Employment Honors Seal.
|
Current "Old" Language
(Ending with class of 2028)
|
New Language
(Starting with class of 2029)
|
|
Core 40 Diploma
|
New Indiana Diploma |
| Academic Honors Diploma | Enrollment Honors Seal |
| Technical Honors Diploma | Enrollment Honors Plus Seal |
|
Employment Honors Seal
|
|
| Employment Honors Plus Seal | |
| Enlistment & Service Seal | |
| Enlistment & Service Plus Seal |
Diploma/Seals Combinations
Starting with the class of 2029 (2024-2025's 8th graders),
the foundational diploma required of all students will be the The New Indiana Diploma.
In addition to this foundational diploma, students
will have the opportunity to earn one or more of six readiness seals. These seals
are organized into the categories of enrollment, employment, and enlistment & service
as shown below.
| Enrollment | Employment | Enlistment & Service | |
| New Indiana Diploma | Honors Seal | Honors Seal | Honors Seal |
| Honors Seal Plus | Honors Seal Plus | Honors Seal Plus |
A readiness seal is not required for graduation. However, if a student does not earn a readiness seal, they will need to complete a graduation pathway, demonstrate employability skills, and demonstrate post-secondary readiness, something all graduates currently must accomplish.
Here are examples of diploma/seal combinations:
- Student A: New Indiana Diploma with a required graduation pathway, employability skills, and post-secondary readiness
- Student B: New Indiana Diploma with an Enrollment Honors Seal
- Student C: New Indiana Diploma with an Employment Honors Plus Seal
- Student D: New Indiana Diploma with an Enlistment and Service Honors Plus Seal and an Employment Honors Seal
As you can see, students must earn the New Indiana Diploma. Readiness seals on the other hand, are not required but additions recognizing further achievement. Also, the seals are not exclusive of each other and may be earned in combination.
Again, if a student does not earn an honors seal, they must achieve a graduation pathway, demonstrate employability skills, and demonstrate post-secondary readiness. Students who earn an honors seal, do not have to meet these requirements.
Indiana New Diploma (Core 42) at ZCHS
Course Requirements for the New Indiana Diploma
|
English |
8 Credits |
● 2 credits: English 9 ● 1 credit: Communications-Focused course ● 5 additional English credits |
|
Math |
7 Credits |
● 2 credits: Algebra I ● 1 credit: Personal Finance ● 4 additional Math credits |
|
Science, Technology & Engineering |
7 Credits |
● 2 credits: Biology ● 1 credit: Computer Science ● 2 additional Science credits ● 2 STEM-Focused credits |
|
Social Studies |
5 Credits |
● 2 credits: US History ● 1 credit: US Government ● 2 credits: World Perspectives (Flexible options, including advanced world language or world-focused social studies) |
|
PE/Health |
2 Credits |
● 1 credit: Physical Education ● 1 credit: Health & Wellness |
|
Preparing For College & Careers |
1 Credit |
● (Completed during 8th grade at ZMS and ZWMS for 24-25 school year only) |
|
Personalized Electives |
12 Credits |
● Students are encouraged to utilize the new readiness-seals to align these personalized electives. Personalized electives can include Career Technical Education (CTE), Performing or Fine Arts, and World Languages. |
|
Total Credits: |
42 Credits |
|
Employability Skills Requirements for the New Diploma
|
Learn and Demonstrate
Employability Skills
|
Project Based Learning: All ZCHS students will engage in a project-based learning experience during their Biology and US History classes. This project will involve employability skills as identified by Indiana's Department of Workforce Development. |
Post-Secondary Readiness Competencies for the New Diploma
|
One of the six options on the right is required for graduation.
*Please select one as a primary goal and one as a secondary goal.
*Benchmark scores for SAT, ACT, and ASVAB may change
|
1. ACT College Ready Benchmarks
2. College Ready Benchmarks
3. C. Average in three AP/Dual Credit courses
4. Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
5. State and Industry Recognized Credential or Certification
6. Career and Technical Concentrator
|
Indiana Honor Seal Diplomas at ZCHS
Honor Seal Diplomas require two components: the Indiana New Diploma (Core 42) and a diploma seal. Families are encouraged to consider college/university curricular requirements for specific post-secondary institutions.
Indiana New Diploma (Core 42)
|
English |
8 Credits |
● 2 credits: English 9 ● 1 credit: Communications-Focused course ● 5 additional English credits |
|
Math |
7 Credits |
● 2 credits: Algebra I ● 1 credit: Personal Finance ● 4 additional Math credits |
|
Science, Technology & Engineering |
7 Credits |
● 2 credits: Biology ● 1 credit: Computer Science ● 2 additional Science credits ● 2 STEM-Focused credits |
|
Social Studies |
5 Credits |
● 2 credits: US History ● 1 credit: US Government ● 2 credits: World Perspectives (Flexible options, including advanced world language or world-focused social studies) |
|
PE/Health |
2 Credits |
● 1 credit: Physical Education ● 1 credit: Health & Wellness |
|
Preparing For College & Careers |
1 Credit |
● Completed during 8th grade at ZMS and ZWMS |
|
Personalized Electives |
12 Credits |
● Students are encouraged to utilize the new readiness-seals to align these personalized electives with their unique goals. Personalized electives can include a variety of courses, such as Career Technical Education (CTE), Performing or Fine Arts, and World Languages. |
|
Total Credits: |
42 Credits |
|
Indiana Honors Seals
| Enrollment Honors Seal | Employment Honors Seal | Enlistment Honors Seal |
|
World Language-4 credits
Social Studies-6 credits
Math-8 credits
Science-6 credits
Earn "C" or higher on all courses and cumulative GPA "B" average
Complete one of the following:
|
Complete one of the following:
Complete 150 hors of Work-Based Learning
Demonstrate skill development in communication, collaboration, and work ethic
Meet attendance goal
|
Complete one of the following:
Achieve score of 31 on ASVAB and complete one of the following:
Meet attendance goal
Demonstrate skill development in communication, collaboration, and work ethic
|
Indiana Honors Plus Seals
| Enrollment Honors Plus Seal | Employment Honor Plus Seal | Enlistment Honors Plus Seal |
|
Earn the Enrollment Seal, plus:
Complete 75 hours of work-based learning
Complete 75 hours of work based learning
Demonstrate skill development in communication, collaboration, and work ethic
|
Earn the Employment Seal plus:
Complete one of the following:
Complete 650 hours of work-based learning that may include:
Demonstrate skill development in communication, collaboration, and work ethic
|
Earn Enlistment Seal, plus:
Complete one of the following;
Demonstrate excellence in leadership through one of the following:
|