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Move to One Diploma

 

Moving to One Statewide Diploma

New York currently issues three diploma types — local, Regents, and Regents with advanced designation. NY Inspires replaces this three-tier system with a single diploma, with the option to add seals and endorsements that let individual students showcase their unique strengths and accomplishments.

 

Why It Matters for Multilingual Learners

The Seal of Biliteracy already gives Multilingual Learners a way to have their bilingual proficiency formally recognized on their diploma — and that option carries forward under the one-diploma model. As this transformation rolls out, L.I. RBERN will make sure districts understand how existing graduation seals like the Seal of Biliteracy fit within the new single-diploma structure.

 

 

What's Changing

  • All three current diploma types are replaced by one standard NYS diploma.
  • Students keep the ability to add optional seals and endorsements — for example, the Seal of Biliteracy, the Seal of Civic Readiness, or a Mastery in Mathematics endorsement.
  • The goal, per the Commission's report, is a diploma that reflects rigorous, consistent standards for every student while still allowing room to demonstrate individual accomplishment.

 

 

How Strongly Was This Supported?

This was among the most strongly supported recommendations in the Commission's own member survey (Appendix B):

  • 77% of Commission members rated replacing the three diploma types with one diploma a high or medium priority (69% rated it specifically high priority).

 

  • 84% supported keeping the option to add seals and endorsements to the single diploma.

 

  • By contrast, only 21% supported keeping the current three diploma types, and just 8% supported eliminating seals and endorsements.

 

Timeline

Nov 2023  Blue Ribbon Commission recommends replacing the three diploma types with one diploma plus optional seals and endorsements (Recommendation 1).

 

Fall 2027–Summer 2029  One-diploma system introduced as part of NYSED's phased rollout.

 

Fall 2029 onward  Full-scale implementation statewide, with an updated transcript reflecting the new diploma model.