Endorsements and Seals
Eligible students can earn endorsements and seals in addition to their diploma.
The honors endorsement may be awarded to students who complete the requirements for either the Regents diploma or the Regents diploma with advanced designation. To earn the honors endorsement, a student must meet the assessment requirements for the Regents diploma or the Regents with advanced designation and also earn a computed average of 90 or above on the Regents Exams applicable to their diploma type (no rounding up is permitted).
As long as exemptions continue to influence students’ ability to graduate, the calculation for the honors endorsement is dependent upon the number of scored Regents Exams the student completed (applicable to their diploma type). In instances where students have more earned scores and/or exemptions than required for the diploma type, schools may use the combination most beneficial to the student.
| Students with a minimum of three scored Regents Exams applicable to the diploma | Students with fewer than three scored Regents Exams applicable to the diploma |
|---|---|
| Exemptions due to COVID-19 are removed from the calculation. The computed average of the remaining Regents Exam scores required for the diploma must equal 90 or above. | Substitute the student's final course grade for each exempted Regents Exam. The computed average of the scored Regents Exams (applicable to the diploma) and the final course grades for courses for which exemptions were granted must equal 90 or above. |
Students who substitute more than 2 NYSED-Approved Regents Exam Alternatives for the required Regents Exams are not eligible for the honors endorsement.
The mastery endorsement may be awarded to students who complete the requirements for the Regents diploma with advanced designation. To earn mastery in mathematics and/or mastery in science, students must demonstrate mastery on the Regents Exams in mathematics and/or science. Mastery is evidenced by earning a score of 85 or above.
Mastery in Mathematics
- Student completed all the requirements for the Regents diploma with advanced designation; and
- passed 3 Regents Exams in mathematics with a score of 85 or higher; or
- passed 2 Regents Exams in mathematics with a score of 85 or higher and was granted an exemption on a third Regents Exam in mathematics; or
- passed 1 Regents Exams in mathematics with an 85 or higher and earned a final course grade of 85 or higher in 2 additional mathematics courses culminating in a Regents Exam for which an exemption was granted.
Mastery in Science
- Student completed all the requirements for the Regents diploma with advanced designation; and
- passed 3 Regents Exams in science with a score of 85 or higher; or
- passed 2 Regents Exams in science with a score of 85 or higher and was granted an exemption on a third Regents Exam in science; or
- passed 1 Regents Exam in science with an 85 or higher and earned a final course grade of 85 or higher in 2 additional science courses culminating in a Regents Exam for which an exemption was granted.
The New York State Seal of Biliteracy recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in English and one or more world languages.
Additional information can be referenced on The New York State Seal of Biliteracy webpage.
The Seal of Civic Readiness is a formal recognition that a student has attained a high level of proficiency in terms of civic knowledge, civic skills, civic mindset, and civic experiences.
Additional information can be referenced on the Seal of Civic Readiness webpage.
The technical endorsement may be awarded to students who complete the requirements for any diploma type (local, Regents, or Regents with advanced designation) and also complete a NYSED-Approved Secondary Career and Technical Education (CTE) program that includes:
- passing a minimum of 3.5 CTE credits
- passing each part of a 3-part technical assessment (written, demonstration, project components).
Additional information can be referenced on the Technical Endorsement webpage.