The New York State Board of Regents established regulations providing multiple, comparably rigorous assessment pathways to graduation for all students. Multiple pathways recognize the importance of engaging students in rigorous and relevant academic programs. The regulations recognize students in Career and Technical Education (CTE) as well as the Arts, Languages other than English (LOTE), Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS), Humanities, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)  by allowing an approved pathway assessment to meet the student’s graduation requirements. The CTE pathway option is only available to students enrolled NYSED approved CTE programs.

Under the “4+1” pathway assessment option, students must take and pass four required Regents exams or Department-approved alternative assessments (one in each of the following subjects: English, math, science, and social studies) and a comparably rigorous assessment for the fifth required exam to graduate. The “4+1” pathway for CTE includes passing the appropriate/approved technical assessment which includes a written exam, a technical skills assessment, and a student project/portfolio.

The diploma pathways policy on testing options was revised in June 2016 to include an option for any student who earns a CDOS credential along with other diploma requirements. Refer to the NYSED website to read more about the current policy.