Indiana’s New Diploma: More Flexibility, Greater Readiness

Indiana is reimagining students’ graduation requirements and post-secondary readiness with the first major overhaul to the state’s diploma structure since 2007. The Indiana Core 40 Diploma became the standard graduation requirement in the fall of 2007, with the first cohort graduating under that model in 2011. Now, some 18 years later, the state is introducing a more flexible option for students. Districts may opt in as soon as the 2025–2026 school year, but the New Indiana Diploma will officially take effect for all students beginning with Cohort 2029 and beyond.

In 2017, Indiana introduced the Graduation Pathways, a framework that allowed students to demonstrate post-secondary readiness through a combination of coursework, employability skills, and postsecondary competencies. The new diploma builds upon and simplifies this approach, embedding the spirit of the Graduation Pathways directly into diploma requirements rather than treating them as a separate process. This change makes the system more cohesive and ensures that every graduate demonstrates readiness through academic achievement, skill development, and postsecondary preparation.

The New Indiana Diploma raises the total number of required credits by two, increases students’ elective choices, and better aligns coursework with each student’s post-secondary plan. The model introduces three readiness seals—Enrollment, Employment, and Enlistment—each designed to recognize a student’s preparation for college, the workforce, or the military. For many years, Indiana students have chosen among several diploma options, including the Core 40 (standard diploma), Core 40 with Academic Honors (advanced designation), Core 40 with Technical Honors (advanced designation), and the General Diploma (for special circumstances). While these former diplomas offered multiple tracks, the new model provides greater flexibility and stronger preparation for all students’ future goals.

Approved in December 2024, the New Indiana Diploma replaces the Core 40 as the state’s standard. Rather than earning separate diploma types, all students will now complete the same foundational diploma with the opportunity to personalize their learning through readiness seals at two levels—honors seals or honors plus seals. These seals signify academic excellence and readiness in one of three areas: Enrollment, which focuses on preparation for college or university study; Employment, which reflects workforce or industry readiness; and Enlistment, which recognizes preparation for military service. This “one diploma, three pathways” approach simplifies the graduation system while expanding opportunities for students to demonstrate readiness in ways that align with their individual goals.

The implementation of the New Indiana Diploma increases the total credits required from 40 to 42 and adds new coursework in personal finance, computer science, and communication skills. At the same time, the New Indiana Diploma introduces greater flexibility by allowing schools to “flex” credits within traditional subject areas—such as English, math, science, and social studies—to make room for additional electives. This approach gives students more opportunities to explore areas of interest, engage in career and technical education, or take advanced coursework that supports their post-secondary goals. By rebalancing credit requirements, the new diploma model ensures that every student can design a learning path that reflects their unique strengths, interests, and aspirations. These adjustments allow students to build schedules that better reflect their interests, whether through career and technical education (CTE), fine arts, world languages, or dual credit and work-based learning experiences.

This updated framework also provides greater fluidity across pathways. Students can shift between seals more easily — for instance, a student who begins working toward the Enrollment Seal may later decide to pursue the Employment Seal without losing progress toward graduation. This flexibility ensures that as students’ goals evolve, their diplomas remain aligned with their future plans.