New York State selected the General Educational Development Test (GED® Test) as the primary pathway to a New York State High School Equivalency (HSE) Diploma, effective January 2022. 

The GED Test is a secure, reliable, and valid instrument that is used to verify that examinees have knowledge in core content areas equivalent to that of graduating high school seniors. There are four subject tests in the GED Test battery: Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA); Social Studies; Science; and Mathematical Reasoning. The GED RLA includes both reading and writing. 

DCMO BOCES offers a program designed to provide intensive individual and small group preparatory instruction for students to take the GED Test and obtain their HSE Diploma.  Instruction is provided in half-day sessions by a certified teacher and a licensed teaching assistant.  This program is available for students aged 16-21.  Students will have the opportunity to participate in a career and technical education program as approved by the component school district and by age availability.

Students will develop job related communication skills and active occupational vocabulary development. Students will learn money management skills, participate in mock interviews, develop a resume and complete employment applications for job and career opportunities, and participate in college visits. 

Regents HSE Pathway 

Individuals who have passed Regents Examinations in English language arts, mathematics, science, and/or social studies can substitute those passing scores for corresponding subject tests on the GED® Exam: RLA (reading and writing), math, science, and social studies. 

Guidelines 

● Passing scores from Regents Examinations taken in high school may be substituted for corresponding HSE exam subject tests. New York State high schools may submit transcripts for students with previously earned Regent’s credit, through the Application R process, under provision 8 N.Y.C.R.R. §100.7 adopted by the Board of Regents on April 25, 2018. 

● Any Regents Math, Science, or Social Studies Regents Examinations may be used in place of the corresponding HSE exam subject test. Regents English Language Arts Exam credits may be used in place of the GED Reasoning Through Language Arts subject test. 

● All applicants must take and pass at least one GED subject test to earn a NYS HSE diploma. One subject test must be taken and passed even if the applicant had Regents credit in all required subject areas. The applicant may select which subject test to take.

Sara Stafford
Director of Special Education

Lena Blackman
Administrative Assistant
(607) 865-2552