ARTICLE
The proposed changes to Indiana's high school diplomas will not require all students to participate in work-based learning. The draft rule, published June 26 for public comment, establishes two diploma types for Indiana – the Graduates Prepared to Succeed (GPS) Diploma and the Graduates Prepared to Succeed Plus (GPS+) Diploma. To earn the GPS Diploma, students choose from three options to demonstrate their postsecondary readiness. They can complete either a project-based, service-based, or work-based experience. For the GPS+ Diploma, the project-based and service-based options are removed; students pursuing the GPS+ Diploma are required to complete a work-based experience. If approved by the State Board of Education, the rule would take effect beginning with students entering high school in the 2025-26 school year. The work-based experience must be at least 75 hours. An Indiana Department of Education analysis of the potential fiscal impact associated with the work-based learning component of the proposed diploma rule estimates an average cost of work-based learning per student of $1,697. The figure was derived from two parts – $500 for placement of the student and $1,197 to transport the student. Assuming the same proportion of students who receive the Core 40 with Honors Diploma earn the GPS+ Diploma, Indiana schools and employers will need to provide around 26,500 students with work-based learning experiences each year, and the statewide total cost would be in the ballpark of $45 million. That might be too high, however, as it does not account for the work-based learning infrastructures that already exist in places like Carmel High School, Vigo County School Corporation, and the J. Everett Light Career Center. Indiana is far from alone in giving increased attention to work-based learning. In 2023, 34 states enacted 80 laws on the subject, according to a report released in April by the Center for American Progress. "The modern economy requires more and more adaptation over the course of a person’s career, and exposing students to high-quality work-based learning opportunities helps set them up to be successful lifelong learners, whether they plan to attend college or head into the workforce upon graduation," reads the Center for American Progress report. "These opportunities not only allow students to find job fields that interest them, but also expose students to the skills necessary to navigate the workforce." Work-based learning offers valuable opportunities for students but poses unique challenges for schools and employers alike. As the diploma changes move forward, school boards will be looking to the State of Indiana for support and guidance to help answer questions around responsibility, capacity, access, liability, safety, and accountability. As noted by the Center for American Progress, "Establishing a high-quality work-based learning program can be complex because it involves the collaboration and commitment of both schools and local industry to develop opportunities that look quite different from traditional schooling." During public comment to the State Board of Education on June 4, the Indiana School Boards Association expressed concerns about the limited availability of work-based learning opportunities for students in small and rural school corporations. ISBA is grateful that the draft rule published June 26 allows work-based learning experiences to be completed virtually. Public comments on the draft rule are being accepted through July 30 at https://form.jotform.com/241416447370959. ### Adam VanOsdol ISBA Communications Specialist/Content Strategist avanosdol@isba-ind.org
The proposed changes to Indiana's high school diplomas will not require all students to participate in work-based learning.
The draft rule, published June 26 for public comment, establishes two diploma types for Indiana – the Graduates Prepared to Succeed (GPS) Diploma and the Graduates Prepared to Succeed Plus (GPS+) Diploma.
To earn the GPS Diploma, students choose from three options to demonstrate their postsecondary readiness. They can complete either a project-based, service-based, or work-based experience.
For the GPS+ Diploma, the project-based and service-based options are removed; students pursuing the GPS+ Diploma are required to complete a work-based experience.
If approved by the State Board of Education, the rule would take effect beginning with students entering high school in the 2025-26 school year. The work-based experience must be at least 75 hours.
An Indiana Department of Education analysis of the potential fiscal impact associated with the work-based learning component of the proposed diploma rule estimates an average cost of work-based learning per student of $1,697. The figure was derived from two parts – $500 for placement of the student and $1,197 to transport the student.
Assuming the same proportion of students who receive the Core 40 with Honors Diploma earn the GPS+ Diploma, Indiana schools and employers will need to provide around 26,500 students with work-based learning experiences each year, and the statewide total cost would be in the ballpark of $45 million. That might be too high, however, as it does not account for the work-based learning infrastructures that already exist in places like Carmel High School, Vigo County School Corporation, and the J. Everett Light Career Center.
Indiana is far from alone in giving increased attention to work-based learning. In 2023, 34 states enacted 80 laws on the subject, according to a report released in April by the Center for American Progress.
"The modern economy requires more and more adaptation over the course of a person’s career, and exposing students to high-quality work-based learning opportunities helps set them up to be successful lifelong learners, whether they plan to attend college or head into the workforce upon graduation," reads the Center for American Progress report. "These opportunities not only allow students to find job fields that interest them, but also expose students to the skills necessary to navigate the workforce."
Work-based learning offers valuable opportunities for students but poses unique challenges for schools and employers alike. As the diploma changes move forward, school boards will be looking to the State of Indiana for support and guidance to help answer questions around responsibility, capacity, access, liability, safety, and accountability. As noted by the Center for American Progress, "Establishing a high-quality work-based learning program can be complex because it involves the collaboration and commitment of both schools and local industry to develop opportunities that look quite different from traditional schooling."
During public comment to the State Board of Education on June 4, the Indiana School Boards Association expressed concerns about the limited availability of work-based learning opportunities for students in small and rural school corporations. ISBA is grateful that the draft rule published June 26 allows work-based learning experiences to be completed virtually.
Public comments on the draft rule are being accepted through July 30 at https://form.jotform.com/241416447370959.
###
Adam VanOsdol
ISBA Communications Specialist/Content Strategist
avanosdol@isba-ind.org