NYS Graduation Requirements
A requirement for graduation from high school in New York State is proving competency in required subjects and credits. Students demonstrate competency by passing Regents examinations in required areas of study. The following tables indicate the examinations that must be passed by students to earn a NYS diploma.
| Competency Areas & Examinations to be Passed | Local | Regents | Regents with Advanced Designation |
|---|---|---|---|
| English - Grade 11 |
Regents Exam in Common Core ELA
Passing Grade 55-64*
|
Regents Exam in CC ELA
Passing Grade 65
|
Regents Exam in CC ELA
Passing Grade 65
|
| Global History & Geography - Grade 10 |
Regents Exam in Global History & Geography
Passing Grade 55-64*
|
Regents Exam in Global History & Geography
Passing Grade 65
|
Regents Exam in Global History & Geography
Passing Grade 65
|
| U.S. History & Government - Grade 11 |
Regents Exam in U.S. History & Government
Passing Grade 55-64*
|
Regents Exam in U.S. History & Government
Passing Grade 65
|
Regents Exam in U.S. History & Government
Passing Grade 65
|
| Living Environment - Grade 9 |
Regents Exam in Living Environment
Passing Grade 55-64*
|
Regents Exam in Living Environment
Passing Grade 65
|
Regents Exam in Living Environment Plus An Additional Science Regents Exam
Passing Grade 65
|
| Math - Grade 9 |
Regents Exam in Algebra Common Core
Passing Grade 55-64*
|
Regents Exam in Algebra Common Core
Passing Grade 65
|
Regents Exam in Algebra CC, Geometry, Algebra II/Trig
Passing Grade 65
|
| Foreign Language |
Checkpoint A Exam
Passing Grade 55-64*
|
Checkpoint A Exam
Passing Grade 65
|
Checkpoint A & B Exams
Passing Grade 65*
|
| *Students must score a 65 or above on five required Regents exams or NYSED Department-approved alternative assessments utilizing options through the 4+1 Pathways to Graduation Regulations | |||
All students must complete 20 academic units of credit plus 2 units of Physical Education for a Local, Regents, or a Regents with Advanced Designation diploma. Clinton High School also requires that each student complete a research paper and a 10-hour community service project.
Students can pursue a 5 unit sequence in art, music, and CTE in lieu of the 2 additional foreign language credits and Checkpoint B exam needed to earn a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation.
Compensatory Safety Net Options for Students with Disabilities:
*Students with disabilities must score a 55 on the English and Algebra Regent exams. The student must earn a 65 or higher on one or more required Regents examinations to compensate, on a one-to-one basis, for each required Regents examination in which he or she received a score of 45-54.
For students with disabilities working towards an alternative commencement credential: New York State Career Development and Occupational Studies Commencement Credential requires an annual career plan, career related coursework (216 hours), work based learning experiences (54 hours minimum), and an employability profile.
| Required Courses | Grade(s) | Local | Regents | Regents with Advanced Designation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | 9, 10, 11, 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Social Studies | 9, 10, 11, 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Science | 9, 2 more years | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Mathematics | 9, 2 more years | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Health Education | 10, 11, or 12 | |||
| Foreign Language | 7 & 8, 9, 10 | 1 | 1 | 3* |
| Art and/or Music | 9, 10, 11, or 12 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Other Course/Electives | 9, 10, 11, 12 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 1.5 to 4.5 |
| Physical Education | 9, 10, 11, 12 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| TOTAL ACADEMIC CREDITS | 22 | 22 | 22 | |
*Students can pursue a 5 unit sequence in art, music, and CTE in lieu of the 2 additional foreign language credits and the Checkpoint B exam needed to earn a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation.
Pathways to Graduation
The 4+1 option would allow students to take four of the five required Regents exams in addition to one of the following comparably rigorous examinations from a STEM, Career and Technical Education (CTE), Biliteracy, Humanities, or Arts field of study. Students have an opportunity to pass one of the following assessment pathways:
- Humanities Pathway: One additional social studies Regents exam or NYSED Department-approved alternative
- STEM Pathway: One additional Regents exam in a different course in mathematics or science or a NYSED Department-approved alternative
- Biliteracy Pathway: An assessment in a Language Other Than English (LOTE) approved by the NYSED Commissioner.
- CTE: A Career and Technical Education assessment approved by the NYSED Commissioner, following successful completion of an approved CTE program.
- Arts: An assessment approved by the NYSED Commissioner.