By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

The State of Indiana wants to change high school diplomas that are offered; two choices instead of the present four.

The new diplomas are GPS Diploma and the GPS Diploma Plus. Indiana will also continue to offer the federally required alternate diploma, which is designed for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.

The GPS stands for Graduate Prepared to Succeed.

There has been no change in the diplomas in the state of Indiana since 1980. According to a press release dated March 27, Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Department of Education, had this to say,” In talking to stakeholders across the state, one thing I have heard on repeat is that, ‘if’ high school looked different for students, then we could better connect them to what’s next. The reality is, the structure of the American high school experience has not changed for most students in over one hundred years”.

The two diplomas offer a more flexible approach and prepare the student for success after they graduate. 

The first GPS Diploma is close to the old Core 40 diploma.

For the GPS Diploma Plus, the student must complete their foundation courses, plus they must complete additional course work necessary to earn their chosen credential of value, as well as complete a high-quality work-based learning experience. Ninth and ten grade students will strategically focus on essential knowledge and skills. This was be accomplished through a set of foundational courses. 

Both diplomas require the student to fulfill three components; foundational knowledge and competencies, employment skills and post-secondary-ready competencies. These foundational and competencies will be obtained in the ninth and tenth grades. Students must master English, Math and Science. Career and post-secondary readiness, communication and collaboration, work ethics, and civil, financial and digital literacy.  Learning these things allows for more flexibility in eleventh and twelveth grades. The student must also engage in something outside of school--this could be volunteer group or a student run enterprise. In the higher grades, students will acquire work-based skills or postsecondary skills.

Something not required are credits in physical education or health credits.

These changes will go through public comments and must be made final by the State Board of Education. Feedback can be through an on line form through Indiana Department of Education.

If successful these changes will go into effect in 2029, and this class will be the first to receive these diplomas.