New York State
Graduation
Requirements
A presentation for New York State’s students and families
2
Welcoming Activity
3
Goals and Objectives
Goals:
• Summarize the current New York State Graduation Requirements.
• Provide access to additional resources so students and families can advocate for appropriate
pathways to exit high school.
Objectives:
Explain credit requirements.
Describe assessment requirements.
Discuss each of the multiple (+1) pathways.
Identify each diploma type.
Compare seals and endorsements.
Recognize credentials that are not diplomas.
4
Diploma Requirements
Credit
Requirements
Assessment
Requirements
5
Credit Requirements
Student Choice in Course Selection
• In most disciplines, student choose the
courses they want to take.
Required Courses
• Health (½ credit required)
• Global Studies and Geography (2 credits required)
• United States History (1 credit required)
• Participation in Government (½ credit required)
• Economics (½ credit required)
Credit Requirements
Minimum
Number
of
Credits
English 4
Social Studies
Distributed as follows:
U.S. History (1)
Global History and Geography (2)
Participation in Government (½)
Economics (½)
4
Science
Distributed as follows:
Life Science (1)
Physical Science (1)
Life Science or Physical Science (1)
3
Mathematics 3
Language other than English 1
Visual Art, Music, Dance, and/or
Theater
1
Physical Education
(participation each semester)
2
Health ½
Electives 3 ½
Total 22
7
Assessment Requirements: Multiple (+1) Pathways
All students must pass
4 required assessments
(one in each discipline)
Path ways
CDOS
CTE
STEM
Humanities
Arts
LOTE
If students are not able to
earn a passing score of 65
on Regents exams, they
may be eligible for:
• Appeals
• Safety Nets
• Superintendent
Determ
ination
Multiple Pathways
Appeals, Safety Nets, and Superintendent Determination
Transfer Students
8
Types of Diplomas
Local
22 units of credit
Used appeals, safety
nets to meet
assessment
requirements
OR Superintendent
Determination of a
Local Diploma
Regents
22 units of credit
Earned passing scores
(65+ for Regents
exams)* on all required
assessments (4 +1)
Regents with
Advanced Designation
22 units of credit
Earned passing score
(65+) on all required
assessments (7 + 1)
Additional exams
required
+2 math
+1 science
Completed a sequence
* A student can appeal one Regents exam score within 5 points of
passing and still receive a Regents Diploma
Diploma Types
10
Exiting Credentials that are Not Diplomas:
Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) Credential
The CDOS Commencement Credential
is unique as it can serve three purposes:
a pathway to a diploma (as the +1
assessment option);
an addition to a diploma; or
an exiting credential.
•Available to all students
•Students attempt, but do not
successfully complete all the New York
State diploma requirements
•Students must complete all the CDOS
Commencement Credential
requirements
Exiting Credentials
11
Exiting Credentials that are Not Diplomas:
Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential
Available to Students with Disabilities assessed using the NYS
Alternate Assessment
Must be accompanied by documentation of the students’ skills and
strengths and levels of independence in academic, career
development and foundation skills needed for post-school living,
learning and working
The credential may be issued at any time after such student has
attended school for at least 12 years, excluding kindergarten, or has
received a substantially equivalent education elsewhere, or at the
end of the school year in which a student attains the age of 21.
Exiting Credentials
12
Optimistic Closure: Suit Yourself!
♥
Something from the
heart
How did you feel?
What did it mean to
you?
♠
Used to dig in the
garden
What new ideas were
planted? What ideas
were dug up?
♣
Things that grew
What new ideas, new
thoughts, or new
points of view
emerged?
♦
Gems that last forever
What are some of the
gems of wisdom
gathered from people
or content?
