Graduation Requirements

In New York State, there are three types of diplomas: a local diploma, a Regents diploma, and an Advanced Regents diploma. All students can earn a Regents or Advanced Regents diploma; however, only students who meet specific criteria are eligible to graduate with a local diploma, which allows students to graduate with lower exam scores. The type of diploma your child earns depends on his or her course credits and scores on specific Regents exams, as shown in the tables below. An Advanced Regents diploma lets students demonstrate additional skills in math, science, and languages other than English. If you think your child is not earning the credits she or he needs to graduate, please speak to your school's guidance counselor immediately. Keep in mind that a student may always exceed these requirements; these represent the minimum.

Students must earn a minimum of 44 credits in the following academic areas to graduate high school in New York State. As a CTE high school, we give students the opportunity to earn more credits as part of our CTE pathways.

SUBJECT	CREDITS
Career and Technical Education (CTE)*	7 - 10
English Language Arts	8
Mathematics	6
Science	6 (of which 4 credits must be in a lab science)
Global History	4
United States History	2
Foreign Language	2
Participation in Government	1
Art/Music	2
Economics	1
Health	1
Physical Education	4

*CTE Sequence – 7 - 10 Credits

A CTE sequence is a concentration in a specific program, usually your technical career choice. Students must pass the 3-part CTE technical assessment that corresponds to the New York State-approved sequence in which the student earns credits.

Students are required to remain in their CTE sequence through 12th grade regardless of graduation credit accumulation.

In addition to passing the academic course work and earning a minimum of 44 credits, students must also pass a minimum of 5 Regents Exams.

At HSCT, the following Regents are required for graduation:

Regents Diploma	Advanced Regents Diploma
Examination Requirements
Your child must achieve a score of 65 or higher on these five (5) Regents exams:	Your child must achieve a score of 65 or higher on these eight (8) exams.
• English Language Arts (ELA) • Any mathematics exam (Algebra I, Geometry, or Algebra Il/Trigonometry) • Any social studies exam (Global History and Geography or U.S. History and Government) • Any science exam ( Living Environment, Chemistry, Earth Science, or Physics) • Any additional Regents exam or assessment approved by the State for this purpose	• English Language Arts (ELA) • Three mathematics exams (Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra Il/Trigonometry) • Any social studies exam (Global History and Geography or U.S. History and Government) • Two science exams (Living Environment and one of these: Chemistry, Earth Science, or Physics) • Any additional Regents exam or assessment approved by the State for this purpose

Students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)

In addition to the Regents or Advanced Regents diploma, students with IEPs have other graduation options available:

The local diploma, which allows students who meet specific criteria to graduate with lower exam scores; and
Two non-diploma credentials that allow students with disabilities to demonstrate career-readiness skills. Note that these credentials are not equivalent to a high school diploma:
The Career Development and Occupational Studies Commencement (CDOS) credential allows students to demonstrate mastery of the academic and personal behaviors required in the workplace. It can serve in addition to a high school diploma or as a standalone credential.
Students who are alternately assessed can earn the Skills and Achievement credential which, although not equivalent to a diploma, supports the attainment of career-readiness skills.