| Core 40 Diploma |
| 14 | What are the differences between the proposed Core 40 Diploma and the current Core 40 Diploma? | The Core 40 has been in place for ten years and is currently being earned by 63% of Indiana's graduates (2004). The proposed changes in the Core 40 Diploma are minimal. 1. Social studies credit must include two (2) credits in World History and Civilization or two (2) credits in Geography and History of the World (a new course). Students may not satisfy this requirement by taking one credit in World History and Civilization plus one credit in Geography and History of the World credit. The proposed Core 40 Diploma does not allow the one-semester Geography credit to count for the Core 40 social studies requirement. However schools may still offer the one-semester Geography course for elective credit. 2. The proposed Core 40 Diploma requires students to take five "flex" credits in the following areas: 3. The proposed Core 40 Diploma awards a full credit for each semester of Physical Education. |
| 15 | What are the flex credit options for the Core 40 Diploma? | The Core 40 Diploma requires five flex credits in any combination from the following options: |
| 16 | How is math credit earned in eighth grade handled in the Core 40? | The six (6) mathematics credits must be earned after the student enters high school. If the student completes any of the required mathematics courses prior to entering high school, the student must complete additional Core 40 mathematics course in high school. Rationale: The purpose of taking math in eighth grade is to give students the opportunity to 1) take an additional math course in eighth grade, or 2) take a math course in high school over an extended period of time. To ensure that students take as much math as possible during the high school years (to better prepare them for postsecondary placement tests and to help them avoid remedial postsecondary courses), students earning the Core 40 Diploma must take six (6) math credits in high school even if they earned two math credits in eighth grade. |