- In instances where students have at least three scored Regents examinations to be included in the assessments required for the diploma type, exemptions due to COVID-19 are removed from the calculation. If the computed average of the Regents examination scores required for the diploma (not including exemptions) equals 90 or above, the student earned the honors endorsement.
- The student’s final course grade for each exempted Regents examination will be substituted in the calculation for honors. If the computed average of the scored Regents examinations and the final course grades for courses for which exemptions were granted equals 90 or above, the student earned the honors endorsement.
NYSED-Approved Regents Examination Alternatives
Students who substitute more than 2 NYSED-Approved Regents Examination Alternatives for these required Regents exams are not eligible for the honors endorsement.
Transfer Students
Students who transfer to a New York State high school for the first time in grades 11 or 12, and have either one or two Regents examination(s) waived, may receive a Regents diploma with honors. The requirements to receive a high school diploma with honors remain the same, except with a fewer number of required Regents examinations and with appropriate annotations on transcripts and permanent records.
Computing the Honors Endorsement (Examples with the Regents Diploma)
Example 1
| English Language Arts (ELA) | 97 |
| Algebra I | 76 |
| Living Environment | 99 |
| US History & Government | 88 |
| CDOS | n/a |
| Average | 90 |
This student earned a Regents diploma with honors. The student's computed average equals 90 (97 + 76 + 99 + 88 = 360; 360/4 = 90). The CDOS commencement pathway represents the final diploma requirement; therefore, the average is based only on the 4 Regents exam scores.
Example 2
| English Language Arts (ELA) | 65 |
| Geometry | 100 |
| Chemistry | 95 |
| Global History & Geography | 96 |
| Algebra II | 98 |
| Average | 90.8 |
This student earned a Regents diploma with honors. The student's computed average equals 90 (65 + 100 + 95 + 96 + 98 = 454; 454/4 = 90.8). The additional math Regents exam represents the pathway for this student; therefore, the average is based on the 5 Regents exam scores.
Example 3 (with exemptions)
English Language Arts (ELA)
Final Course Grade: 94
Global Studies & Geography
Final Course Grade: 96
Final Course Grade: 88
This student earned a Regents diploma with honors. Since the student has fewer than three scored Regents examinations, the student’s final course grades for the courses for which exemptions were granted must be substituted in the calculation for the honors endorsement.
The student's computed average equals 91.8 (94 + 92 + 89 + 96 + 88 ÷ 5). Since the computed average of the two Regents examination scores (92, 89) and the final course grades (94, 96, 88) equals 90 or above, the student earned the Regents diploma with honors.
Example 4 (with exemptions and additional assessments)
English Language Arts (ELA)
Final Course Grade: 94
Global Studies & Geography
Final Course Grade: 96
Final Course Grade: 88
This student earned a Regents diploma with honors. *Since the student has more earned scores and/or exemptions than are required for the diploma type, the most beneficial combination of earned scores and/or exemptions is used. Since the Regents Exam in Living Environment is additional (and not required for the student to meet the assessment requirements), it does not need to be included in the honors computation. Since there are then only two earned scores (applicable to the diploma type), the final course averages for the exemptions are included, and the student earned the honors endorsement.
The student's computed average equals 91.8 (94 + 92 + 89 + 96 + 88 ÷ 5). Since the computed average of the two Regents examination scores (92, 89) and the final course grades (94, 96, 88) equals 90 or above, the student earned the Regents diploma with honors.
Additional information regarding the honors endorsement and Regents exam exemptions can be referenced in Computing the Honors Endorsement with Exemptions due to COVID-19 as well questions 44-46 of the Frequently Asked Questions Related to the June 2021 and August 2021 Exemptions from Diploma Requirements.
