SECTION 100.5

100.5 Diploma requirements.

(a) General requirements for a Regents or a local high school diploma. Except as provided in paragraph 6 of subdivision (d) of this section, the following general requirements shall apply with respect to a Regents or local high school diploma.  Requirements for a diploma apply to students depending upon the year in which they first enter grade nine. A student who takes more than four years to earn a diploma is subject to the requirements that apply to the year that student first entered grade nine. Students who take less than four years to complete their diploma requirements are subject to the provisions of subdivision (e) of this section relating to accelerated graduation.

(3) Students first entering grade nine in the 2001-2002 school year, but prior to the 2008-2009 school year, shall have earned at least 22 units of credit including two credits in physical education to receive either a Regents or local high school diploma.  Students first entering grade nine in the 2008-2009 school year and thereafter shall have earned at least 22 units of credit including two credits in physical education to receive a Regents diploma. Such units of credit shall incorporate the commencement level of the State learning standards in: English language arts; social studies; mathematics, science, technology; the arts (including visual arts, music, dance and theatre); languages other than English; health, physical education, family and consumer sciences; and career development and occupational studies. Such units of credit shall include:

(i) English, four units of credit;

(ii) social studies, four units of credit as set forth in paragraph (6) of this subdivision;

(iii) science, three units of credit of commencement level science, at least one course shall be life sciences and at least one in the physical sciences, the third may be either life sciences or physical sciences;

(iv) mathematics, three units of mathematics, which shall be at a more advanced level than grade eight and shall meet commencement-level learning standards as determined by the commissioner;

(v) visual arts and/or music, dance, or theatre, one unit of credit; and

(vi) health education, one half unit of credit in accordance with the requirements set forth in section 135.3(c) of this Title. Learning standards in the area of parenting shall be attained through either the health or family and consumer sciences programs or a separate course.

(4) All students shall have earned the equivalent of two units of credit in physical education in accordance with the requirements set forth in section 135.4(c)(2)(ii) of this Title. Such units of credit shall not count towards the required units of credit set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subdivision for those students who enter grade nine before the 2001-2002 school year. Beginning with the 2001-2002 school year and thereafter, such units of credit in physical education shall count toward the required total. A student who has completed the diploma requirements as set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subdivision in fewer than eight semesters, and who is otherwise eligible to receive a diploma, shall not be required to continue enrollment in high school for the sole purpose of completing the physical education requirements as set forth in this paragraph.

For further information, or to see this information in context, go to http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/part100/pages/1005a.html

The following is from New York State United Teachers at http://www.nysut.org/standards/students_graduation.html

NYS high school graduation requirements leading to a diploma

Posted: June 5, 2005

These are the requirements in effect as of June 1, 2005. However, with action pending by the state Board of Regents, requirements for the local diploma are subject to change with the start of the 2005-06 school year.