in-20241009-IR-511240220SNA: The Indiana State Board of Education (state board) is soliciting public comment on adding and amending rules at 511 IAC 6-7.1-4 and 511 IAC 6-7.2 concerning Indiana's high school diploma requirements. The state board seeks comment on the affected citations listed and any other provisions of Title 511 that may be affected by this rulemaking.

Notice of Second Public Comment Period LSA Document #24-220 Sec. 4. (a) Except as provided in 511 IAC 6-7.2-19(g), for a student who enters high school in the 2006-2007 school year or a subsequent school year, a minimum of at least forty (40) credits is are necessary for high school graduation. Thirty-four (34) of the credits shall must be earned in the areas of study specified in subsection (b), and six (6) of the credits shall must be earned from courses in these and other approved areas of study. (b) The thirty-four (34) required credits consist of the following: (c) Courses that may be counted toward the required credits prescribed in subsection (b) are subject to the following provisions: (d) The college and career pathway is recommended, but not required, if a student, after completing grade 11: Sec. 1. The definitions in this rule apply throughout this rule. Sec. 2. "Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction award" means the award issued by the College Board to students that receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all Advanced Placement (AP) Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five (5) or more AP Exams. Sec. 3. "Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education Diploma Program" means the Cambridge Advanced diploma program established by Cambridge International. Sec. 4. "Credit" means demonstrating proficiency against academic standards in a course, learning activity, or experience meeting the following requirements: Sec. 5. "Communication and collaboration skills" include the following: Sec. 6. "CTE concentrator" means a student who completes and earns a "C" average in at least two (2) nonduplicative advanced courses in a single career and technical education program or program of study. Sec. 7. "Department" has the meaning set forth in IC 20-18-2-3. Sec. 8. "Diploma seal" means a designation added on to a student's transcript for successful completion of all requirements established by the state board in section 18 of this rule. Sec. 9. "International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme" means the programme established by the International Baccalaureate designed for students between sixteen (16) years of age and nineteen (19) years of age. Sec. 10. "Leadership role" refers to a designation, position of title, or responsibility where a student demonstrates effective communication, decision-making, and organizational skills within a group, organization, or activity to guide, influence, and motivate others to achieve common goals that extend beyond basic membership or participation. Sec. 11. "Mentorship experience" means a supportive relationship between a student and an individual specified in 511 IAC 6-7.2-18(b)(5)(E), wherein the individual acting as the mentor provides guidance, feedback, and encouragement to help the student achieve personal and academic growth as well as an understanding of the mentor's field. Sec. 12. "Project based learning" refers to learning that: Sec. 13. "Public service" is defined as service that: Sec. 14. "Service based learning" refers to learning that: Sec. 15. "State board" has the meaning set forth in IC 20-18-2-19. Sec. 16. "Work based learning" means learning delivered in an employment relationship that: Sec. 17. "Work ethic skills" includes the following: Sec. 18. The following general principles are a guide to school corporations in certifying to the state board that students are qualified for high school graduation: Sec. 19. (a) To be eligible for an Indiana diploma, a student who enters high school in the 2025-2026 school year or a subsequent school year shall: (b) Indiana diploma course and credit requirements consist of the following: (c) Only courses designated as approved Indiana diploma courses by the state board may be used to satisfy the course requirements set forth in subsection (b). (d) Unless otherwise prohibited by law or regulation, high school credit earned in courses designated as approved Indiana diploma courses prior to a student entering high school may be used to satisfy both the course and credit requirements specified in this rule. (e) A student may satisfy the credit requirements in subsection (b)(13) by enrolling in a modern youth apprenticeship, as defined in IC 20-51.4-2-9.5, and satisfying the requirements set forth in IC 20-51.4-2-9.5(1) – (5). (f) To be eligible for an Indiana diploma, a student must complete at least one (1) of the following postsecondary readiness competencies: (g) A student in a cohort expected to graduate in 2026, 2027, or 2028 may graduate with an Indiana diploma if the student: Sec. 20. (a) In addition to earning an Indiana diploma, a student may earn one (1) or more of the following Indiana diploma seals by completing the Indiana diploma seal requirements set forth in subsection (b): (b) Indiana diploma seal requirements consist of the following: (c) A student shall specify the following in their graduation plan developed under IC 20-30-4-2: (d) If a student completes the requirements for one or more Indiana Diploma seals established in this rule, the seal shall be specified in the student's high school transcript. (e) A student may satisfy the requirements set forth in 511 IAC 6-7.2-19(a)(2) by meeting the requirements for one or more Indiana diploma seals established in this rule.