LOUISIVLLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The state of Indiana's Department of Education is looking to create a more personalized high school experience for students, therefore changing its degree requirements. However not everyone is on board.

The proposed plan would create two diplomas: the Indiana GPS diploma, and Indiana GPS Plus diploma. Either would include a "seal" specialized in employment (work force), enlistment (military), or education (college).

Under the new plan, the GPS diploma require ninth and tenth grade students to focus on "foundational knowledge and competencies."

Then in eleventh and twelfth grade, students would work towards a minimum of 20 additional courses and competencies. That would be determined by what is known as "points," and achieved by things like continuing traditional courses, electives, SAT/ACT scores, JROTC, or work-based learning.

According to IDOE, students will use an individual graduation plan, completed in middle school to determine course sequences to achieve the 20 points.

The Indiana GPS Plus diploma requires all the above, in addition to work-based learning experiences like apprenticeships or capstone projects. 

Pam McCoy is the Vice President of the Greater Clark Education Association. 

McCoy said two concerns from teachers is the possibility of position elimination and students being asked to determine a career path too young.

"Subject areas, like world languages, Spanish, French, German, and then a lot of your related arts, band, choir, art, things like that, if these proposed changes happen, then when you start eliminating the requirements, then there's not going to be a demand for these classes, and we're going to lose teacher positions," McCoy said. "Right now they are wanting middle school students to decide what they want to do. Do you want to go work or do you want to go college and have that kind of figured out?"

On July 22, Purdue University President Mung Chiang wrote a letter to the Secretary of Education, Katie Jenner, and Indiana Commission for Higher Education Commissioner, Chris Lowery.

Chiang asked Jenner and Lowery to "respectfully" reconsider an enrollment seal better aligned with Indiana's universities. 

In it, Chiang wrote, "the proposed GPS and GPS+ diplomas do not meet Purdue admission requirements in the subject areas of math, lab sciences, social studies and world language."

It continued, "the new diplomas do not require a student to take the SAT or ACT to graduate."

According to the IDOE, "Per statute, Indiana’s current graduation requirements will sunset October 1, 2028, making final requirements effective for all students beginning with the class of 2029, or students entering eighth grade this fall. Schools may opt-in beginning with the 2025-2026 school year."

In a second letter sent days later, Chiang asked the board to consider the University's proposed changes.

In a side-by-side comparison, Chiang also showed how the proposed GPS requirements only meets the minimum high school course requirements for admission in English.

The proposed GPS diploma falls short in math, science, social studies and world language.

Indiana University Pamela Whitten also wrote to Jenner and Lowery.

Whitten said IU, "supports the State's objective of ensuring that the secondary curriculum effectively provides all students with pathways to post secondary education, the workforce, or military service."

Whitten continues, "We strongly urge the Department to include two- and four-year postsecondary institutions in the development of this Seal as well. Many industry pathways circle back to postsecondary education, and/or individuals may wish to pursue postsecondary education as adults. In both cases, it is imperative that such individuals do not lack basic preparation for an on-ramp into higher education at a later point."

IDOE received feedback on the first draft until July 30. Once feedback is reviewed, IDOE will release a second proposal mid-August, with the goal to adopt a new policy before the end of 2024.

For more information on IDOE's proposed degrees, click here.

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