Indiana colleges navigate changes in high school diploma requirements

By FARAN FRONCZAK
WISH-TV | wishtv.com

As Indiana high schools implement changes to graduation requirements, local colleges are working to ensure that students’ pathways align with future academic goals.

The shift, set to affect students in the class of 2029, has sparked questions from parents and education professionals alike. At the University of Indianapolis, Admissions Director Emily Hancock is balancing these new requirements with the university’s expectations for incoming students. She joined Daybreak’s Scott Sander to discuss.

Hancock emphasized that while the changes are significant, they won’t affect current high school juniors or seniors.

“If you have a high schooler right now, you don’t need to worry about it,” she said. The changes will impact current eighth-graders, who will be the first group to graduate under the new guidelines in 2029.

In December, changes were unanimously passed by the Indiana Department of Education. The redesigned requirements aim to address the declining number of Indiana high school seniors enrolling at higher education institutions, seniors moving into the workforce without necessary skills, and students enrolling in the military finding out they are disqualified too late.

Schools can also choose to require their high schoolers to earn 42 credits, two more credits than what’s required today. Despite previous disapproval, the final plan is fully supported by all of the state’s public colleges and universities.

Under the revised system, there are now three diploma tracks: enlistment, employment, and enrollment.

For students aiming for college, Hancock recommends the “enrollment honors diploma,” which is designed to meet the entry requirements of many in-state institutions. The “enrollment honors plus” track, which includes work-based learning components, is not necessary for college admissions, she noted.

This distinction is important for parents and students making decisions about the most appropriate path. Hancock stressed that while the “honors plus” track may sound appealing, it may not be necessary for all students planning to pursue higher education.

When evaluating applicants, Hancock says academic readiness is the top priority.

“We want to make sure students are successful academically in college,” she explained. “That includes overall GPA, the courses they’ve taken – whether dual credit, AP, or IB – and the rigor of those courses.”

One concern is whether current eighth graders might decide later in high school that they want to attend college, even if they’ve already chosen a track that doesn’t align with that goal. Hancock emphasized ongoing communication between school counselors and college admissions teams. “We’re in communication with the state to make sure that any student in Indiana who wants to go to college has a pathway to do that.”

Hancock advised parents to guide their students toward the enrollment track if there is any chance they may pursue college. Starting on that path provides more flexibility later.

“Talk to your student about what they’re thinking about doing when they graduate from high school,” Hancock suggested. “That way, they’re on the right foot from as soon as they enter high school.”

With the new changes still a few years away from affecting students, the University of Indianapolis and other institutions are closely monitoring how the policy evolves and how it will impact college admissions moving forward.

This story was originally published by WISH-TV at wishtv.com/news/indiana-high-schools-changing-graduation.