State of Indiana and Ascend Indiana launch new resources to expand real-world learning opportunities and support implementation of Indiana’s new high school diploma

Indiana Governor Mike Braun today announced a new resource to expand career-connected learning opportunities for Indiana’s K-12 students. A new Work-Based Learning Digital Resource Hub has been launched through a partnership between the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (the Commission), the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), and Ascend Indiana . This comprehensive collection of practical tools is designed to help K-12 schools, employers, and regional partners implement high-quality work-based learning aligned with Indiana’s new high school diploma.

“Indiana is committed to making sure every student graduates ready for the opportunities ahead, and that means connecting learning in the classroom to real experiences in the workplace,” said Gov. Braun. “The new Work‑Based Learning Digital Resource Hub gives schools and employers the practical tools they need to bring career‑connected learning to life. By strengthening these partnerships and expanding high‑quality work‑based learning across our state, we’re helping more students discover their strengths, explore future pathways, build their professional network, and be prepared for life after high school.”

Indiana’s new high school diploma requirements allow increased flexibility for students to personalize their journey and earn readiness seals aligned to their unique future goals, whether they plan to go to college, go straight into career, or serve in our Nation’s military. Based on direct feedback from higher education, employers, and the military about what leads to student success, the new readiness seals prioritize knowledge, skills, and experiences through a combination of rigorous coursework, work-based learning, and credentials of value.

“Indiana’s new high school diploma creates more opportunities for students to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences that prepare them for success after graduation,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. “As schools continue implementing the new diploma requirements, it’s important they have the resources and support that make high-quality work-based learning more accessible for students across our state. This partnership with Ascend Indiana will help equip educators and employers to expand meaningful career-connected learning opportunities that prepare students for what’s next.”

A cornerstone of the Hub is the Work-Based Learning Training Plan and Partnership Agreement Template . Under Indiana’s new diploma requirements, schools must have a training plan and partnership agreement on file for each student participating in qualifying work-based learning. The template offers a clear, ready-to-use option for meeting that requirement and helps coordinators, intermediaries, employers, and students define the experience’s purpose, identify relevant competencies, and outline how learning and progress will be supported. Schools can continue using their own locally developed format if they already have a model that works well for them.

Additional resources on the Work-Based Learning Digital Resource Hub include:

• Employer Work-Based Learning Readiness Tool – A guided assessment to help employers determine what type of work-based learning experience fits their organization.
• Understanding Types of Work-Based Learning Experiences – An overview of each of the 11 types of work-based learning experiences defined by IDOE.
• How to Design a Work-Based Learning Experience – A step-by-step guide for educators and partners to enable work-based learning for students.
• Work-Based Learning Roles and Responsibilities Overview – Clarifies the roles of employers, schools, and intermediaries.
• And more – View all resources on the Hub.

To further support implementation, Ascend Indiana has also identified a network of regional intermediaries who serve as local connectors between schools and employers. These partners offer dedicated staffing to coordinate, expand, and enable work-based learning throughout Indiana. Schools and employers can connect with regional intermediaries through Ascend Indiana’s Intermediary Directory at ascendindiana.com/intermediary-directory.

The launch of the Hub is strengthened by a $100,000 grant recently awarded to Ascend Indiana by the Commission. The grant supports statewide implementation tools, educator resources, employer guidance, and technical assistance that build on Ascend Indiana’s long-standing work across K-12, workforce, and employer networks.

“Our experience working alongside educators, employers and regional intermediaries has shown us that successful work-based learning implementation requires practical tools, trusted partnerships, and ongoing support,” said Brad Rhorer, President and CEO of Ascend Indiana. “This grant enables us to build on that experience by helping schools and intermediaries across Indiana implement work-based learning in ways that fit their local communities, employer networks, and student needs.”

Through this grant, Ascend Indiana will continue to expand and enhance the Digital Resource Hub, develop additional resources for school-based experiences, facilitate statewide convenings and peer learning, and provide direct technical assistance to regional partners.

For more information about work-based learning, visit ascendindiana.com/work-based-learning.