Alternative Diplomas: New York State's High Standards

The year 2001 ushered in a new era of standards for high school diplomas. Ending with the class of 2000, all graduates of New York State high school have to have their regents’ diploma. These new changes were made in the name of quality. The intended results were to improve the quality of New York diplomas. New York is one of the most demanding states in the United States to get a diploma in. Neighboring states like Vermont and Connecticut do not have content specific state tests. Another result of the higher expectation has been putting a group of borderline dropout students in danger of not receiving a high diploma at all. Alternative diplomas should be an option for students who would drop out if they could not meet the demands of a regents’ diploma. 

It is a fact that before the year 2000, up to 15 percent of high school students in the best high schools were not getting regents’ diplomas (Maher, p.5, 2001). It cannot be guaranteed that the whole 15 percent will attain that regents’ diploma. The move by the board of regents will likely widen the gap between those who can achieve to those who cannot. Some of the various factors limiting a student from attaining a regents’ diploma are disabilities, poor instruction, poor schools, and a lower ability level. I believe a direct result of the new standard is a guaranteed increased drop out rate by students who will not or are not willing to achieve the new standards. 

There are many types of alternative diplomas that could be offered instead of the regents’ diploma. Local diplomas were offered to students before 2000 who met all the schools standards. Certificates could be offered as an alternative that would be accredited as equal to a high school diploma. Another type of certificate or diploma that would be an acceptable alternative are technical or vocational degrees. In the name of higher standards, New York State has ignored inclusion by rejecting students who do not exhibit traditional academic characteristics.