Sec. 21. (a) The state board shall establish one (1) standard Indiana diploma for individuals who successfully complete high school graduation requirements before October 1, 2028. This subsection expires October 1, 2028.

     (b) Each Indiana diploma established under subsection (a) must include one (1) of the following designations if an individual meets the criteria established by the state board for the designation:

(1) General designation.

(2) Core 40 designation.

(3) Core 40 with academic honors designation.

(4) Core 40 with technical honors designation.

This subsection expires October 1, 2028.

     (c) The state board shall establish one (1) standard Indiana diploma for individuals who:

(1) are students in a cohort that is expected to graduate in 2029 or thereafter; and

(2) successfully complete high school graduation requirements.

     (d) The Indiana diploma established under subsection (c) must include a diploma designation established under subsection (e) if an individual meets the criteria established by the state board for the designation.

     (e) Subject to subsection (g), the state board shall establish diploma designations that indicate a student is adequately prepared for one (1) or both of the following:

(1) Direct entry into the workforce upon graduation.

(2) Postsecondary education aligned to the student’s chosen career path.

     (f) The state board, in consultation with the department, shall establish new high school diploma requirements for the Indiana diploma established under subsection (c) to replace 511 IAC 6-7.1. When establishing new high school diploma requirements, the state board shall consider input received from the following:

(1) Educators.

(2) The commission for higher education.

(3) Approved postsecondary educational institutions (as defined in IC 21-7-13-6(a)).

(4) Entities that represent business interests across multiple industries.

     (g) The diploma designations established under subsection (e) must:

(1) explore competency based methods to demonstrate proficiency in a course or skill area required for graduation;

(2) promote lifelong learning with a goal of increasing a student’s postsecondary educational attainment;

(3) include, as part of at least one (1) designation, a requirement that the student successfully completes a quality work based learning experience aligned to the student’s postsecondary goals; and

(4) include, as part of at least one (1) designation, a requirement that a student successfully:

(A) obtained a credential described in IC 20-43-8-15.5;

(B) earned a top distinction or a diploma established by an advanced course work program that:

(i) is nationally recognized for its rigor; and

(ii) includes an examination of student competency;

(C) completed Indiana college core (IC 21-42-3); or

(D) completed requirements for an associate degree, including those earned through transfer as a junior pathways.

     (h) Not later than December 31, 2024, the state board shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to implement this section.

As added by P.L.192-2018, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.202-2023, SEC.10; P.L.150-2024, SEC.3.