TIP SHEET

NYC High School Diploma Options

  • Students have the right to attend school until the end of the school year in which they turn 21 or obtain a high school diploma
  • Graduating with a high school diploma provides access to college, the military, and trade school
  • High school students are encouraged to pursue a Regents or Advanced Regents diploma, which provide more access to post-secondary opportunities than the Local and High School Equivalency Diplomas
  • Testing accommodations for the NYS Regents exams can be found on the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP)
  • The NYC Schools Account (NYCSA) www.mystudent.nyc provides access to students' course credits, grades, test scores, schedules, transportation information, and more. (Contact your school for the account creation code)

Types of Diplomas

  • Regents
  • Advanced regents
  • Local diploma
  • High school equivalency (GED/TASC)

Regents Diploma
44 Course Credits + 5 Regents Exams (passing is 65% or higher).

Subject English Language Arts (ELA) Social Studies Math Science Language Other Than English(LOTE) +1 State Approved Option*
# OF EXAMS 1 1 1 1 Not required 1
EXAM NAMES

ELA
  • U.S. History
  • Global History & Geography
  • Algebra I
  • Geometry
  • Algebra II
  • Living Environment
  • Chemistry
  • Earth Science
  • Physics

Any NYC approved LOTE exam

 Any additional Regents exam or state approved +1 option
  • Low Score Appeal for a Regents Diploma (For All Students): 1 Regents exam with a score of 60-64.

* Students may use an Advanced Placement (AP) or SAT II score, a State approved Career and Technical Education (CTE) exam, another Regents exam, or the Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) Commencement Credential as their +1 Option.

 

Advanced Regents Diploma

44 Course Credits + 9 Regents Exams (passing is 65% or higher)

Subject ELA Social Studies Math Science LOTE +1 State Approved Option
# OF EXAMS 1 1 3 2 1 1
EXAM NAMES

ELA

 U.S. History OR Global History & Geography Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II Living Environment and (Earth Science, Chemistry, or Physics) Any NYC approved LOTE exam Any additional Regents exam OR state approved +1 option

 

Local Diploma*
44 Course Credits + 5 Regents Exams (passing is 55% or higher for students with disabilities)

Subject ELA Social Studies Math Science LOTE +1 State Approved Option
# OF EXAMS 1 1 1 1 Not required 1
EXAM NAMES ELA
  • U.S. History
  • Global History & Geography
  • Algebra I
  • Geometry
  • Algebra II
  • Living Environment
  • Earth Science
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
 Any NYC approved LOTE exam Any additional Regents exam or state approved +1 option
  • Low Score Appeal for a Local Diploma (For All Students): 2 Regents exams with a score of 60-64 with all remaining Regents exams with a score of 65 or above.
  • New Arrival ELA Appeal for a Local Diploma (English language learners who arrived in the US in grades 9–12): ELA Regents exam with a score of 55-59 (Students may also appeal one other Regents score of 60–64).
  • Safety Net Options for a Local Diploma (For Students with a Disability): See below

* Local Diplomas are accepted at some private colleges, community colleges, CUNY and SUNY colleges

 

Safety Net Options to Obtain a Local Diploma
(For Students with a Disability)

All safety net options are available to students with a current IEP, students with a 504 Plan, if documented, and students declassified in grades 8-12, if recommended (with the exception of the Superintendent Determination Option)  

SAFETY NET OPTION REQUIREMENTS & ELIGIBILITY
Low Pass Safety Net Option Score between 55-64 on the required Regents exams
Low Pass Safety Net Option with Appeal

Score between 52-54 on up to two of the required Regents exams. To appeal your scores, you must:

  • Take the exams you are appealing at least twice
  • Show evidence of having taken advantage of academic help at your school
  • Pass the course in the subject you are appealing, and
  • Get recommended by your teacher or the chair of the department in the subject you are appealing
     
Compensatory Safety Net Option

Score between 45-54 on one or two for the required Regents exams (except for Math and ELA exams)

  • Must pass the ELA and Math exam with a 55 or higher or an approved appeal of 52-54
  • Pass the course in the subjects on which you scored 45-54, and
  • Have satisfactory attendance
  • A score of 65 or higher on a single exam may only be used to compensate for one exam on which you scored 45-54.
Superintendents determination option
(Only available to students with a current IEP)

A parent or guardian must make a request in writing to the principal or the Committee on Special Education (CSE).
 

To be eligible for this option, students:

  • Are not eligible for the low pass safety net option/appeal or compensatory safety net option
  • Must have earned 44 course credits
  • EITHER pass the Math and ELA Regents exams with scores of 55 or higher (or successfully appeal scores of 52-54) OR earn a Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) Commencement Credential
  • Have taken all required Regents exams but have not passed one or more of these exams; and
  • Pass the courses in the subjects of the failed exams

For each exam with a failing grade, the superintendent will review your performance in the related course including projects, class work, quizzes, and tests.

Source:
http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/gradrequirements/documents/safety-net-options-available-students-withdisabilities.pdf
https://infohub.nyced.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/acpolicy-graduationrequirementscard.pdf

 

High School Equivalency (HSE) Diploma*

Description To register for the Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) exam, an applicant must:
  • In NYS, the HSE exam was changed from the GED to the TASC in 2014.

  • The test is aligned with the Common Core and College and Career Readiness Standards.

  • TASC accepts passing Regents scores to compensate for specific sub-tests.

  • Accommodations must be applied for or requested in advance.
  • Be at least 17 years old and turn 18 by June 30
  • Not be presently enrolled in High School
  • Have not graduated from High School
To prepare for the HSE/TASC exam, students can enroll in:

*Graduating with a High School Equivalency Diploma provides access to associate degree programs, the military, and trade school.
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