1. Replace the three diploma types with one diploma, with the option to add seals and endorsements. 

2. Include civic responsibility (ethics); cultural competence; financial literacy education; fine and performing arts; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) credit(s); and writing, including writing skills for real-world scenarios in diploma credit requirements. 

3. Ensure access to career and technical education (CTE), including internships and work-based learning opportunities for all students across New York State. 

4. Move to a model that organizes credit requirements— including content area credit requirements— into larger categories (e.g., mathematics and science courses could be included in the “STEM” category). 

5. Reduce and/or modify diploma assessment requirements to allow more assessment options. 

6. Create state-developed rubric(s) for any performance-based assessments allowed, as an option, to satisfy the diploma assessment requirements. 

7. Create more specific, tailored graduation requirements to address the unique circumstances of certain groups of students (e.g., non-compulsory age students, newcomer students, refugee students). 

8. Provide exemptions from diploma assessment requirements for students with significant cognitive disabilities and major life events and extenuating circumstances (e.g., medical conditions, death of a family member, trauma prior to sitting for a required exam). 

9. Pursue regulatory changes to allow the discretion to confer high school degrees posthumously. 

10. Require all New York State teacher preparation programs to provide instruction in culturally responsive-sustaining education (CRSE) practices and pedagogy. 

11. Require that professional development plans include culturally responsive-sustaining education practices and pedagogy. 

12. Review and revise the New York State learning standards. 

These were the videos. Responses were due in October of 2024.

Please reach out to Tricia Gonzalez & Candace Colon or GradMeasures@nysed.gov with any concerns or questions.

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