JHS Grads (Pathways to Grad Article): JHS 2018 Graduates, Carrson Widen and Sydney Robinson, celebrated after receiving their diplomas at Chautauqua Institution. Submitted photo

“The new pathways for graduation have started to align the high school diploma with contemporary needs in the labor market by offering various pathways to graduation,” said Jamestown Public Schools Chief of Academics Michelle McDowell. “The offer options for all students to receive a diploma that will help them in whatever path they choose, going directly into the working world or entering higher education.”

New York State Board of Regents recently approved regulations establishing multiple, comparably rigorous assessment pathways to graduation for all students including the 4 +1 and CDOS Pathways.

Multiple pathways recognize the importance of engaging students in rigorous and relevant academic programs, but also recognize students’ interests in the arts, bi-literacy, career/technical education, humanities and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by allowing an approved pathway assessment to meet the students’ graduation requirements and give greater flexibility in addressing the diverse needs, talents and interests of students. Jamestown High School has known that our students have many different passions and began the school’s six academies a few years ago to help students develop their interests into a potential career path.

4+1 Pathway

The 4+1 Pathway allows students who entered ninth grade in September 2011 and thereafter or, who are otherwise eligible to graduate in June 2015 or after, to meet NYS graduation assessment requirements for a Regents or Local diploma by:

¯ Passing four required Regents exams: ELA Regents, one math Regents, one science Regents and one social studies Regents (past requirement was to pass five Regents exams)

¯ AND completing one more option:

¯ completing requirements for a CDOS Credential

¯ pass an additional math Regents exam in a different course

¯ pass an additional science Regents exam in a different course

¯ pass an additional social studies Regents exam in a different course

¯ pass an additional English assessment in a different course

¯ pass an approved CTE pathway assessment

¯ pass an approved pathway assessment in the Arts

¯ pass an approved pathway assessment in a Language other than English

NYS CDOS Credential

The regulations were also revised to expand the opportunity to all students to earn the NYS CDOS commencement credential as one option in the 4 + 1 Pathway. Previously, only students with disabilities could exit school with a NYS CDOS Commencement Credential as a supplement to a regular high school diploma. To receive a CDOS Commencement Credential, a student must complete the required 22 units of diploma credit and pass one Regents exam in each discipline along with all requirement for CDOS Credential itself including completing at least 216 hours of CTE coursework and work-based learning experiences (of which at least 54 hours must be in work-based learning experiences).

“The CDOS Commencement Credential establishes that explicit instruction in career development and work-based learning. It is beneficial to all students as it focuses on a student’s ability to apply classroom learning in the real world, engages them by using authentic tasks and teaches them employability skills,” said Mrs. McDowell. “It also gives students a chance to focus on career exploration, while ensuring they have the opportunity to earn a high school diploma.”