Students Have Additional Options To Earn Indiana College Core In High School

More Indiana high schoolers than ever before can earn up to a year of general education, college-level courses in high school, as 57 additional high schools and eight postsecondary providers are now able to offer the Indiana College Core (the Core). 

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education confirmed more high schools and postsecondary providers – including the first four-year providers of the Core, which is a 30-credit-hour block of general education courses that transfer among all public institutions and some private colleges. The Indiana College Core is based on competencies and can be earned through a combination of dual credit, Advanced Placement courses, dual enrollment, etc.

Prior to the announcement of 57 high schools (representing a 68 percent increase in the number of schools), only about one in five high schools offered the Indiana College Core; that number is now more than one in four high schools which can provide the Core. Find the list of high schools on TransferIN.net. A new user-friendly tool for students and families to explore options to earn the Core in high school will be available in early 2023.

Indiana College Core LogoIndiana University Bloomington, all five IU regional campuses, Purdue University Northwest and Purdue University Fort Wayne are the first four-year institutions to serve as primary postsecondary partners of the Indiana College Core. The eight four-year campuses join Ivy Tech Community College and Vincennes University as providers of the Core. As primary postsecondary partners, higher education institutions have a formal agreement with partner Indiana high schools to deliver the Core to students through early college credit opportunities such as dual credit, dual enrollment and Advanced Placement.

Since 2012, 10,223 students earned essentially a full year of college for little to no cost by completing the Indiana College Core while in high school. The average full “sticker” price for a year at a public institution is $22,000, equating to a savings of nearly $225 million for Hoosier students.

“The Indiana College Core is one of our state’s best tools for making the cost of education beyond high school manageable while preparing high school students for the rigors of college,” said Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Chris Lowery. “I am encouraged to see a growing number of students earning the Core in high school, but we know there is more work to be done to improve availability. Working in partnership with the Indiana Department of Education, we seek to ensure the Core is offered in all Indiana high schools and dramatically increase the number of students completing the Core by 2028.”

Students who earn the Indiana College Core are more likely to enroll in college. Recent data show that 90 percent of Indiana College Core earners from the class of 2020 went on to attend college. Once at college, those students can focus on major-specific courses earlier than their peers and pursue additional opportunities such as adding a minor and studying abroad. Additionally, they’re more likely to graduate on time or early and could pursue graduate school ahead of their peers who didn’t earn the Core while in high school.

While more students are earning the Indiana College Core and more high schools are becoming delivery sites, gaps remain by student race and ethnicity, household income and geographic location. Far too few Indiana high schools offer a full range of early college credit opportunities. Increasing the availability of dual credit, and careful use of it can help more high schoolers earn the Indiana College Core. Educators can utilize free credentialing opportunities through Teach Dual Credit Indiana and STEM Teach Indiana to teach dual credit courses.

“When students complete the Indiana College Core, they open additional doors of opportunity – including saving valuable time and thousands of dollars in their next steps after high school,” said Indiana Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner. “As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Core, high schools and higher education providers have now come together like never before to expand access to this incredible opportunity for our students. Looking ahead, we must continue to expand this access so that all students can jumpstart their futures through the Indiana College Core.”

In 2021, the state of Indiana launched the Crossing the Finish Line initiative to assist Indiana high school students who are just a few credits from earning a high-quality credential such as the Indiana College Core. Through the initiative, nearly 800 students completed the Core for free over the past two summers through Ivy Tech Community College or Vincennes University.

Earlier this year, the Commission and the Indiana Department of Education released a comprehensive digital guide and toolkit to continue building awareness around the benefits of the Indiana College Core with high school students. The materials are designed to equip educators, especially school counselors, with the information and tools needed to help students make knowledgeable decisions about earning the Indiana College Core.

A downloadable social media kit is available for school counselors, school corporations, colleges and universities, and graduates who earned the Core to build awareness of the Indiana College Core and celebrate its 10th anniversary. The kit contains sample posts and graphics.

For more information about dual credit and credit transfer, visit TransferIN.net.

About the Indiana Commission for Higher Education

Created in 1971, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education plans, coordinates and defines Indiana’s postsecondary education system to align higher learning with the needs of students and the state. The Commission also administers Indiana’s financial aid programs, including the 21st Century Scholars early college promise scholarship, which celebrated 30 years in 2020. Learn more about the Commission’s Reaching Higher in a State of Change strategic plan at www.in.gov/che.

About the Indiana Department of Education

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) oversees Indiana primary and secondary schools across Indiana. IDOE is dedicated to providing quality, purposeful educational opportunities for all students to prepare them for lifelong success. For more information, visit doe.in.gov.