INDIANA — For the first time since 2018, Indiana schools are returning to a letter-grade accountability system. State education officials presented the final draft of a new metric that assigns A-F grades based on student performance, attendance, and a controversial new suite of testing options.
The move marks a departure from the “dashboard” model used during the pandemic and signaled a return to traditional, high-stakes accountability.
How the Grading Works
The new system is built on a point-based scale. While the initial “runway” period allows schools to earn an A with 85 points, the scale will eventually shift to a traditional 90-point threshold for the top grade.
Points are primarily awarded based on:
- Core Proficiency: State test scores in reading and math.
- Work Ethic & Attendance: High marks for students who maintain consistent attendance.
- Diploma Attainment: The type of diploma (Standard, Honors, or Honors Plus) earned by graduates.
- Career Readiness: Credentials earned through work-based learning.
One of the most notable additions to the final metric is the inclusion of the Classic Learning Test (CLT) as a way for students to earn success points in English and math.
The CLT is an alternative to the SAT and ACT that focuses on “Great Books” and Western historical texts, both secular and religious. While embraced by the conservative education movement, it has drawn scrutiny from critics who question its alignment with modern secular standards. Its inclusion follows a recent state law requiring Indiana public universities to treat CLT scores with the same weight as the SAT.
The implications of these grades extend beyond simple prestige. Secretary of Education Katie Jenner noted that the system will serve as the “sole measure of accountability” in the state’s request for federal flexibility.
According to Ron Sandlin, the Department of Education’s Chief Innovation Officer, the final model shifted to give more weight to actual proficiency rather than just “academic progress.”
“Previous drafts… gave parents the impression that their students were doing better than they really were,” Sandlin said, explaining that the new model prioritizes whether a student has actually mastered a subject.
Key Grade 12 Indicators
| Indicator | Weight | Requirement for Full Points (100) |
| Graduation Rate | 10% | 95% or higher graduation rate |
| SAT / I AM Proficiency | 10% | 60% or more students reaching proficiency |
| Diploma & Skills | Bulk of Grade | Based on Honors seals and CLT/ACT/SAT success |
The long-awaited system, which Jenner says involved feedback from families and industry leaders, is moving toward immediate implementation. Schools are expected to receive their first official letter grades by December 2026.
