Authority: IC 20-19-2-8; IC 20-19-2-21

Affected: IC 20-30-5-5; IC 20-30-5-6; IC 20-30-5.6-1; IC 20-31-3-1; IC 20-32-4-1.5; IC 20-43-8-0.3; IC 20-51.4-2-9.5

Sec. 20. (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:

1. (1) complete a minimum of forty-two (42) high school credits consistent with the Indiana diploma course and credit requirements set forth in subsection (b); and

2. (2) except as provided in 511 IAC 6-7.2-21(e), demonstrate college or career readiness by completing:

   1. (A) a project based, work based, or service based learning experience; and
   2. (B) at least one (1) postsecondary readiness competency set forth in subsection (f).

(b) Indiana diploma course and credit requirements consist of the following:

1. (1) Eight (8) credits in Language arts, two (2) of which must be in English 9 or an equivalent course, and one (1) of which must be in communication courses.
2. (2) Six (6) credits in mathematics, two (2) of which must be Algebra I credits.
3. (3) One (1) credit in Personal Financial Responsibility.
4. (4) Four (4) credits in science, two (2) of which must be Biology I credits.
5. (5) One (1) credit in Computer Science.
6. (6) Two (2) credits in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
7. (7) Two (2) credits in U.S. history.
8. (8) One (1) credit in U.S. government.
9. (9) Two (2) credits in world perspectives.
10. (10) One (1) credit in physical education.
11. (11) One (1) credit in health and wellness.
12. (12) One (1) credit in career preparedness.
13. (13) Twelve (12) personalized elective credits.

(c) Only courses designated as approved Indiana diploma courses by the department 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:

1. (1) Score at or above the national college ready benchmark on the SAT.
2. (2) Score at or above the national college ready benchmark on the ACT.
3. (3) Earn an Armed Forces Qualification Test score of at least thirty-one (31) on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, and meet the requirements specified in IC 20-32-4-1.5(i).
4. (4) Earn an industry recognized or a postsecondary credential. Only credentials designated as approved graduation qualifying credentials by the department may be used to satisfy this requirement.
5. (5) Complete a federally recognized apprenticeship or apprenticeship program as defined in IC 20-43-8-0.3.
6. (6) Complete a CTE concentrator.
7. (7) Earn at least a "C" average in at least three (3) advanced placement, International Baccalaureate, dual credit, or Cambridge International courses. At least one (1) of the courses used to satisfy this requirement must be an English, mathematics, science, or social studies course.
8. (8) Complete a state board approved locally created pathway.

(g) A student must earn at least one (1) diploma seal established under section 21 of this rule in order for the student to be eligible to graduate in fewer than eight (8) high school semesters.

(h) A student in a cohort expected to graduate in 2026, 2027, or 2028 may graduate with an Indiana diploma if the student:

1. (1) satisfies the requirements in subsection (a); and
2. (2) earns at least one (1) of the diploma seals established in section 21 of this rule.

(Indiana State Board of Education; 511 IAC 6-7.2-20; filed Mar 11, 2025, 11:19 a.m.: 20250409-IR-511240220FRA, eff Jul 1, 2025)