Passing Scores on Regents Exams Could Be Used in Place of TASCTM Subtests
45-Day Public Comment Period Begins Nov. 1
The State Education Department today proposed regulatory changes to provide an additional pathway to earn a New York State high school equivalency diploma (HSE) by allowing individuals to use passing scores on certain Regents exams in place of the corresponding TASCTM subtests. A 45-day public comment period on the proposed amendment will be held from Nov. 1 through Dec. 18.
“A high school equivalency diploma can help people succeed in today’s ever-more competitive job market and provide a path to higher education,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa said. “Providing another pathway to an equivalency diploma will encourage individuals to stay engaged in education programs, improve high school completion rates, and open the door of opportunity to literally thousands of New Yorkers every year.”
“Regents exams are a valid and reliable measure of the knowledge, skills and abilities required for high school graduation,” State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia said. “So, it makes sense to count passing scores on those exams for people seeking a high school equivalency diploma, providing them with more avenues to succeed in life.”
New York currently provides three pathways to earn an HSE diploma:
The proposed amendment allows students who have passed any Regents examination in Mathematics, English Language Arts, Social Studies or Science to use those passing scores in place of the corresponding TASCTM subtests. Students will not be allowed to use previously passed Regents exam scores towards an HSE diploma until they have exited from high school.
If adopted, the proposed regulation could assist thousands of individuals in obtaining an HSE diploma. The table below details the number of students who started grade 9 in 2011 and 2012, passed Regents exams, but did not receive a high school diploma by the time of their expected graduation in 2015 or 2016.
Timetable for Implementation
A Notice of Proposed Rule Making will be published in the State Register on Nov. 1, 2017. Public comments on the proposed changes will be accepted through Dec. 18, 2017 and can be submitted by email to REGCOMMENTS@nysed.gov.
Following the public comment period, it is anticipated that the proposed amendment will be presented to the Board of Regents for adoption at its Jan. 2018 meeting. If adopted at the Jan. meeting, the proposed amendment would become effective as a permanent rule on Feb. 7, 2018.
“A high school equivalency diploma can help people succeed in today’s ever-more competitive job market and provide a path to higher education,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa said. “Providing another pathway to an equivalency diploma will encourage individuals to stay engaged in education programs, improve high school completion rates, and open the door of opportunity to literally thousands of New Yorkers every year.”
“Regents exams are a valid and reliable measure of the knowledge, skills and abilities required for high school graduation,” State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia said. “So, it makes sense to count passing scores on those exams for people seeking a high school equivalency diploma, providing them with more avenues to succeed in life.”
New York currently provides three pathways to earn an HSE diploma:
- TASCTM testing (Test Assessing Secondary Completion)
- Approved 24-college-credit program
- National External Diploma Program (NEDP)
The proposed amendment allows students who have passed any Regents examination in Mathematics, English Language Arts, Social Studies or Science to use those passing scores in place of the corresponding TASCTM subtests. Students will not be allowed to use previously passed Regents exam scores towards an HSE diploma until they have exited from high school.
If adopted, the proposed regulation could assist thousands of individuals in obtaining an HSE diploma. The table below details the number of students who started grade 9 in 2011 and 2012, passed Regents exams, but did not receive a high school diploma by the time of their expected graduation in 2015 or 2016.
Students who passed Regents Examinations Without Earning a Diploma
| Regents Subjects Passed | Dropped Out |
| 1 | 5767 |
| 2 | 3831 |
| 3 | 3178 |
| 4 | 3043 |
| Total | 15,819 |
A Notice of Proposed Rule Making will be published in the State Register on Nov. 1, 2017. Public comments on the proposed changes will be accepted through Dec. 18, 2017 and can be submitted by email to REGCOMMENTS@nysed.gov.
Following the public comment period, it is anticipated that the proposed amendment will be presented to the Board of Regents for adoption at its Jan. 2018 meeting. If adopted at the Jan. meeting, the proposed amendment would become effective as a permanent rule on Feb. 7, 2018.
