Planning the High School Years to Maximize Your Options

DID YOU KNOW? A student's academic record (courses and grades) is the single most important factor in a college's decision to accept or deny an application.

Students typically begin planning their high school schedules during 8th grade. Since each year builds upon the one before it, it is wise to understand the diploma options offered by the State of Indiana to students graduating from high school. Each involves certain educational requirements which can lead to unique options after high school.

Currently, Indiana students have three diploma options to choose from:

1. the general high school diploma
2. the Core 40 diploma
3. academic honors diploma

Starting in the fall of 2006, Indiana students entering high school will chose from the following diploma options:

1. the Core 40 diploma
2. the Core 40 with technical honors diploma
3. the Core 40 with academic honors diploma

A general diploma will still be available, but the Core 40 will become necessary for high school graduation for students entering in the fall of 2007 (and beyond), except in certain circumstances following a formal opt-out process. The requirements associated with each of these diplomas are outlined below.

Diploma Options for Students Entering in the Fall of 2006 (Class of 2010) and Beyond

¹ CORE 40 is considered the minimum college-prep curriculum and will be required for graduation beginning with students entering in the fall of 2007. The total number of credits in the areas of foreign language, fine arts and career/technical program combined must equal a minimum of 5 credits.

² Students must complete all of the Core 40 requirements, earn a grade of "C" or above in courses that will count toward the diploma and must have a grade point average of "B" or above.

³ Students must complete a career-technical program (related sequence of 8-10 credits) and also complete the necessary state recognized certification requirements which includes two of the following - one of which must be a) or b) below:
a) WorkKeys, an industry-driven assessment, and score a level 6 or higher on each of the three core readiness subject areas (including mathematical reasoning, reading for information and locating information)
b) Technical, transferable dual high school/college credit courses resulting in 6 college credits (in chosen career/technical area)
c) Professional career internship or cooperative education (in chosen career/technical area)
d) A state approved industry recognized certification (in chosen career/technical area)

⁴Students must also complete one of the following:

• Two Advanced Placement (AP) courses and corresponding AP exams
• Academic, transferable dual high school/college courses resulting in 6 college credits
• One AP course (and corresponding AP exam) AND academic, transferable dual high school/college courses resulting in 3 college credits
• A composite score of 26 or higher on the ACT
• A score of 1200 or higher on the SAT (total score required to be modified to incorporate the writing section now standard in the SAT)
• An International Baccalaureate Diploma

⁵ Must include 6 credits in a career academic sequence, 5 flex credits and 6 general electives.

*Directed elective totals can be comprised of any combination of the options listed underneath.

Admissibility

Typically, students should expect to see a relationship between the diploma they receive and the types of colleges where they would be a good candidate for admission. Naturally, there are no “guarantees” that a student will be admitted based strictly on the type of diploma s/he receives, but generally speaking, obtaining a certain type of diploma will open up certain options.

Note: The term “selective” refers to a college's admission standards and the level of difficulty associated with being admitted.

*Some colleges and universities and/or specific university programs focused on the mastery and application of specific skills may place greater value on the associated requirements of the Core 40 with technical honors diploma than the standard Core 40 diploma. Contact the institutions you are considering for more information on how the various diploma types may affect the likelihood of admittance to their institutions/programs.

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