Braun announces partnerships for Indiana’s new HS diploma structure

INDIANAPOLIS — As Indiana soon begins its new high school diploma requirements, the office of Indiana Gov. Mike Braun announced on Wednesday new partnerships that will allow graduates the chance to move forward with future goals based on the seals that they receive.

In December 2024, the Indiana Board of Education approved changes to the state’s high school diploma requirements. The state’s new diploma structure outlines minimum requirements for each student in the state of Indiana, as well as opportunities for students to receive honors and honors plus seals in the areas of enrollment, employment as well as enlistment and service.

According to a news release, Braun’s office stated that partnerships with higher education, business and industry, as well as the Indiana National Guard will help students, particularly those who obtain honors plus readiness seals, have a direct path from high school into their next steps: a career, higher education or enlisting.

“Every Hoosier student should graduate with the skills they need to begin valuable careers, whether that be by enrollment, employment or enlistment,” Braun said in a statement on social media on Wednesday. “Today, I am proud to announce key partnerships with our public universities, our state’s top employers and our military that will provide students a direct path from high school to their next steps, strengthening our workforce and economy for years to come!”

The release outlined the opportunities that will be available to students, starting with the new requirements:

• For students earning the enrollment honors plus seal
  • All of the state’s public colleges and universities, along with some private institutions, will offer automatic acceptance for any student who applies that has this seal, including the following institutions:
    • Purdue University
    • Indiana University
    • Ivy Tech Community College
    • Ball State University
    • Indiana State University
    • University of Southern Indiana
    • Vincennes University
• For students earning the employment honors plus seal
  • Students will be able to receive dedicated career support through Ascend Indiana, including being connected through interviews with some of the state’s top employers.
  • Students will be eligible for direct entry into the Central Midwest Carpenters Union apprenticeship. State leaders are working with the Operating Engineers Local 150 to offer similar benefits in connection with their apprenticeship.
  • The Indiana Chamber of Commerce is recruiting Indiana businesses to encourage them to be a part of this opportunity for these students.
• For students earning the enlistment honors plus seal
  • Students will be “uniquely qualified” to join the Indiana National Guard and other military branches.
  • Once the students are accepted into the Indiana National Guard, they can:
    • Earn college credits for completing training, reducing the time and cost required to complete a degree.
    • Gain access to Veteran mentors, military career counselors and college ROTC liaisons who provide college and career guidance.
    • Access priority job placement programs designed for military professionals, offering job interviews for federal employment and private-sector roles.

“Indiana is leading the way when it comes to redesigning the high school experience to ensure these four years are as valuable as possible for students, and I could not be more excited about the opportunity ahead to continue to grow our partnerships in this work,” Katie Jenner, Indiana’s secretary of education, said in the release. “In many ways, the adoption of the final diploma rule was only the beginning of our journey, and today’s announcement is the logical next step as many of the same partners who helped us to develop the readiness seals are now solidifying their value for students.”

According to previous reports, the state’s current graduation requirements will sunset on Oct. 1, 2028. The state’s new diploma requirements will go into effect for all students starting with the class of 2029, students who are currently in the eighth grade. However, Indiana schools can opt in to the new program starting with the 2025-26 school year.