The completion of Core 40 is an Indiana graduation requirement. Indiana’s Core 40 curriculum provides the academic foundation all students need to succeed in college and the workforce.
To graduate with less than Core 40, the following formal opt-out process must be completed:
The student, the student’s parent/guardian, and the student’s counselor (or another staff member who assists students in course selection) must meet to discuss the student’s progress.
The student’s Graduation Plan (including a four-year course plan) is reviewed.
The student’s parent/guardian determines whether the student will achieve greater educational benefits by completing the general curriculum or the Core 40 curriculum.
If the decision is made to opt out of Core 40, the student is required to complete the course and credit requirements for a general diploma, and the career/academic sequence the student will pursue is determined.
Course and Credit Requirements (Class of 2016 & Beyond)
English/Language Arts
8 credits
Credits must include literature, composition, and speech
Mathematics
4 credits
2 credits: Algebra I or Integrated Mathematics I 2 credits: Any math course
General diploma students are required to earn 2 credits in a Math or a Quantitative Reasoning (QR) course during their junior or senior year. QR courses do not count as math credits.
Science
4 credits
2 credits: Biology I
2 credits: Any science course
At least one credit must be from a Physical Science or Earth and Space Science course
Social Studies
4 credits
2 credits: U.S. History
1 credit: U.S. Government
1 credit: Any social studies course
Physical Education
2 credits
Health and Wellness
1 credit
College and Career Pathway Courses
Selecting electives in a deliberate manner to
take full advantage of college and career exploration and preparation opportunities
6 credits
Flex Credit
5 credits
Flex Credits must come from one of the following:
Additional elective courses in a College and Career Pathway
Courses involving workplace learning such as Cooperative Education or Internship courses
High school/college dual credit courses
Additional courses in Language Arts, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, World Languages or Fine Arts
Electives
6 credits
Specifies the minimum number of electives required by the state. High school schedules provide time for many more elective credits during the
high school years.
40 Total Credits Required
Schools may have additional local graduation requirements that apply to all students
INDIANA CORE40 Course and Credit Requirements
English/
Language Arts
8 credits
Including a balance of literature, composition and speech.
Mathematics
6 credits (in grades 9-12)
2 credits: Algebra I 2 credits: Geometry 2 credits: Algebra II Or complete Integrated Math I, II, and III for 6 credits. Students must take a math or quantitative reasoning course each year in high school
Science
6 credits
2 credits: Biology I
2 credits: Chemistry I or Physics I or Integrated Chemistry-Physics
2 credits: any Core 40 science course
Social Studies
6 credits
2 credits: U.S. History
1 credit: U.S. Government
1 credit: Economics
2 credits: World History/Civilization or Geography/History of the World
Directed Electives
5 credits
World Languages Fine Arts
Career and Technical Education
Physical Education
2 credits
Health and Wellness
1 credit
Electives*
6 credits
(College and Career Pathway courses recommended)
40 Total State Credits Required
CORE40 with Academic Honors
minimum 47 credits
For the Core 40 with Academic Honors diploma, students must:
Complete all requirements for Core
Earn 2 additional Core 40 math
Earn 6-8 Core 40 world language credits
(6 credits in one language or 4 credits each in two languages).
Earn 2 Core 40 fine arts
Earn a grade of a “C” or better in courses that will count toward the
Have a grade point average of a “B” or
Complete one of the following:
Earn 4 credits in 2 or more AP courses and take corresponding AP exams
Earn 6 verifiable transcripted college credits in dual credit courses from the approved dual credit list.
Earn two of the following:
A minimum of 3 verifiable transcripted college credits from the approved dual credit list,
2 credits in AP courses and corresponding AP exams,
2 credits in IB standard level courses and corresponding IB
Earn a combined score of 1750 or higher on the SAT critical reading, mathematics, and writing sections and a minimum score of 530 on each
Earn an ACT composite score of 26 or higher and complete the written section
Earn 4 credits in IB courses and take corresponding IB
CORE40 with Technical Honors
minimum 47 credits
For the Core 40 with Technical Honors diploma, students must:
Complete all requirements for Core
Earn 6 credits in the college and career preparation courses in a state-approved College & Career Pathway and one of the following:
State-approved, industry-recognized certification or credential, or
Pathway dual credits from the approved dual credit list resulting in 6 transcripted college credits
Earn a grade of “C” or better in courses that will count toward the
Have a grade point average of a “B” or
Complete one of the following,
Any one of the options (A – F) of the Core 40 with Academic Honors
Earn the following scores or higher on WorkKeys; Reading for Information – Level 6, Applied Mathematics – Level 6, and Locating Information-Level 5.
Earn the following minimum score(s) on Accuplacer: Writing 80, Reading 90, Math 75.
Earn the following minimum score(s) on Compass; Algebra 66, Writing 70, Reading 80.
