The State Board of Education approved the redesigned Indiana high school diploma Wednesday after months of feedback from educators, parents, the business community and military leaders.

The diploma changes now move to the attorney general for review and approval. They’ll become law when signed by the governor.

Some local lawmakers and school officials hoped the diploma’s implementation would be slowed to allow for schools to better align eighth grade courses with the new requirements.

Education officials, however, said only the legislature could slow the process since the current diploma sunsets in 2028.

State leaders said the new diploma is aimed at increasing college enrollment, stemming a decline in military enlistments, and reducing chronic student absenteeism. The Class of 2029 will be the first to meet the new requirements.

The diploma’s first design met with opposition from parents and educators but has since gained a consensus of support.

“Listening to and incorporating significant stakeholder feedback has absolutely led us to a better place from where we started in March to where we are today,” said Secretary of Educator Katie Jenner.

“This new high school diploma will allow increased flexibility for students to personalize their journey, as well as increase access to both work-based learning and credentials of value.”

The new baseline diploma requires 42 credits, up from 40, which had minimum requirements for all students. The diploma remains unchanged from its initial design.

It includes increased flexibility and course options for earning credits in core content areas, such as English, math, science, social studies, physical education and health. In addition to these core content areas, students can choose personalized electives such as career and technical education (CTE courses), performing or fine arts, and/or world languages.

The majority of changes came in the second draft and final rules regarding six “readiness seals.” Three honors readiness seals are similar to honors diploma requirements.

State officials said the improvements came after feedback from stakeholders.

Students have the option of choosing pathways and classes to earn readiness seals. The pathways are enrollment in higher education, workforce employment, and military enlistment.

Students can earn an additional 56 to 64 credits depending on their schedule.

For the honors enrollment seal, students no longer have just one option to meet college credit requirements. They can complete a mix of Advanced Placement courses, International Baccalaureate classes and Cambridge courses.

Students no longer will have to pass an AP exam to meet the high school diploma requirements because the College Board, which administers AP exams, can’t provide scores until months after graduation.

State officials hope the new requirements can improve Indiana’s college enrollment numbers. The data from 2022 show just 53% of graduates planned to attend college. Of those students, just 51% graduated from college.

State officials said enlistments in the military declined by 41% from 2018 to 2022. Indiana National Guard enlistments over the same period declined 38%. The rate of decline is worse in Indiana than in other states, officials said.

Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.