Indiana § 20-32-4-1.5 - Graduation requirements; funding for Cambridge International exams and training

§ 20-32-4-1.5. Graduation requirements; funding for Cambridge International exams and training

Sec. 1.5. (a) Except as provided in sections 4.1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of this chapter, each student shall:

(1) demonstrate college or career readiness through a pathway established by the state board, in consultation with the department of workforce development and the commission for higher education;

(2) meet the Core 40 course and credit requirements adopted by the state board under IC 20-30-10; and

(3) subject to section 1.8 of this chapter, meet any additional requirements established by the governing body;

to be eligible to graduate. This subsection expires October 1, 2028.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (f) and sections 4.1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of this chapter, beginning with the class of students who expect to graduate during the 2028-2029 school year, each student shall:

(1) demonstrate college and career readiness through a pathway established by the state board, in consultation with the department of workforce development and the commission for higher education;

(2) meet the Indiana diploma requirements established by the state board under IC 20-19-2-21; and

(3) subject to section 1.8 of this chapter, meet any additional requirements established by the governing body;

to be eligible to graduate.

(c) The state board shall establish graduation pathway requirements under subsections (a)(1) (before its expiration) and (b)(1) in consultation with the department of workforce development and the commission for higher education. A graduation pathway requirement may include the following postsecondary readiness competencies approved by the state board:

(1) International baccalaureate exams.

(2) Nationally recognized college entrance assessments.

(3) Advanced placement exams.

(4) Assessments necessary to receive college credit for dual credit courses.

(5) Industry recognized certificates.

(6) The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.

(7) Cambridge International exams.

(8) Any other competency approved by the state board.

(d) If the state board establishes a nationally recognized college entrance exam as a graduation pathway requirement, the nationally recognized college entrance exam must be offered to a student at the school in which the student is enrolled and during the normal school day.

(e) When an apprenticeship is established as a graduation pathway requirement, the state board shall establish as an apprenticeship only an apprenticeship program registered under the federal National Apprenticeship Act (29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.) or another federal apprenticeship program administered by the United States Department of Labor.

(f) A school corporation, charter school, or state accredited nonpublic school may voluntarily elect to use the Indiana diplomas described in subsection (b) in lieu of the Core 40 course and credit requirements specified in subsection (a) prior to October 1, 2028.

(g) The state board, in consultation with the department of workforce development and the commission for higher education, shall approve college and career pathways relating to career and technical education, including sequences of courses leading to student concentrators.

(h) The department may provide funding for students of accredited schools to take not more than three (3) Cambridge International exams per student. The department is also authorized to use funds to provide professional development training for teachers who teach Cambridge International courses.

(i) If the state board establishes an Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery as a graduation pathway, the state board shall require a student who elects the pathway to submit documentation, on a form prescribed by the department, that demonstrates the student's intent to enlist in the military as a condition of meeting the pathway requirements.

As added by P.L.242-2017, SEC.34. Amended by P.L.192-2018, SEC.25; P.L.174-2018, SEC.4; P.L.269-2019, SEC.8; P.L.10-2019, SEC.84; P.L.92-2020, SEC.73; P.L.216-2021, SEC.30; P.L.160-2023, SEC.10; P.L.150-2024, SEC.38.