Report of Regents Adult Career and Continuing Education Services (ACCES) Committee to The Board of Regents

Your ACCES Committee held its scheduled meeting on March 13, 2017.  All members were present, with the exception of Regent Tilles, who was excused.

MATTERS NOT REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

Update on Pathways to a High School Equivalency (HSE) Diploma

Your committee was provided with an update on the three pathways to a New York State High School Equivalency Diploma: National External Diploma Program (NEDP); College Credits; and, High School Equivalency Exam – TASC™ test. 

• NEDP, which is the third pathway to the State HSE diploma, is a competency-based, applied performance assessment system where students must demonstrate one hundred percent mastery of tasks that mirror real life and work situations.  After the student completes all tasks, a final evaluation is done by an NEDP reviewer and if approved, the student is granted a New York State high school equivalency diploma.

• College Credits is the second pathway in which a student must complete 24 credit hours of college-level courses.  Once courses are complete, a student sends the application to NYSED for review and once approved, is granted a State HSE diploma.

• The Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC™) is the primary pathway to a High School Equivalency Diploma in New York State.  The TASC™ test is available in both paper and computer-based format, and is composed of five subtest sections: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.  It is available in English and Spanish languages, and braille, large print and audio formats.  After the test is administered, the test information is transmitted to the vendor for scoring.  Upon completion of scoring, the vendor delivers results to NYSED, whereupon NYSED conducts a final evaluation to determine whether the tester has earned a HSE diploma.  NYSED then sends a diploma or a failing transcript to the tester.

The three pathways to a HSE diploma provide equitable access points and a diverse means by which New Yorkers can earn HSE credentials.  The alignment of the HSE exam with the Adult Education College and Career Readiness Standards and the evidence-based NEDP pathway undergird the strength and viability of the New York State HSE diploma in both postsecondary and workforce environments.