Middle school students are constantly looking forward to the freedom of choice that high school has to offer. Instead of being forced to take the same, standard courses as their classmates, they are excited about choosing classes that pique their interests and explore their passions. However, with the recent diploma changes that the state of Indiana has implemented for the class of 2029 and beyond, that ability to explore has now been lost.

High school students, even as freshmen, used to have the ability to select numerous electives that cater to their college major and/or career interests, allowing them to explore numerous fields and develop a range of skill sets. But with the state’s new diploma requirements that force students to take physical education and health and wellness in person, as well as the implementation of “pathways” courses, not only are the amount of electives students can take severely limited, but 14-year-olds are also forced to pick a career pathway for the entirety of high school. Additionally, the new erasure of requiring a fine arts credit to graduate has caused a massive decline in enrollment in performing arts classes such as band, choir, and theater. These new diploma requirements are also a direct reflection of the United States’ extreme shift towards emphasising STEM related skills and careers, over those rooted in arts and humanities. The new requirements also directly demonstrate the state’s de-emphasis of attending college, as college enrollment has declined not only in the state of Indiana, but also throughout the entire country. 

While some may argue that these new diplomas and the pathway courses that come with them are helpful for students who can’t afford college or who aren’t interested in that post-secondary path, these new sets of requirements are essentially trading an advantage for one group for the disadvantage of another. Additionally, the state of Indiana is doing absolutely nothing to help make college more accessible and affordable for students, instead they are just pushing students in other career directions. The real hidden truth behind the state’s push towards trade schools or going straight into the workforce over college is that they want to trap young workers in Indiana, as young people who receive a college degree have been fleeing the state for decades. 

Every high school student deserves to have the opportunity to explore multiple career interests and paths throughout their four years at NHS. Students, no matter what path they decide to pursue after high school, should not be restricted from taking courses that they are passionate about, just for the purpose of fulfilling the desires of the state. Everyone has unique interests and aspirations, and everyone should be given the chance to develop and explore those passions during their high school years.