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Exemption from Diploma Assessment Due to a Major Life Event

Background Information

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) introduced an amendment to the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, which allows for exemptions from meeting diploma assessment requirements in instances where students have faced “major life events.”  According to NYSED, a major life event includes any severe illness, severe medical condition, or life-altering incident that significantly impacts or prevents a student’s participation in a required diploma assessment.  NYSED provides the following information:

  • Severe illnesses and severe medical conditions are defined as acute or chronic illnesses or health conditions that carry a high risk of mortality, detrimentally impact students’ quality of life and daily function, and/or are significantly burdensome in symptoms and/or treatments.   
  • Life-altering incidents are experiences or occurrences that significantly change students’ lives.  Examples of major life events include, but are not limited to, cancer treatment, hospitalization, an accident causing serious injury, a destructive house fire, the death of a parent or person in parental relation, homelessness, or trauma related to deportation or detainment.

Exemptions for students who face the conditions described above are eligible beginning in the 2024-2025 school year.  Assessment exemptions for major life events apply exclusively to those assessments used to meet NYS assessment requirements for graduation (e.g. Regents, FLACS, etc.).

Exemption Requirements and Request Process

Students who have experienced major life events and meet the following criteria may apply for an exemption to required diploma assessments:
  • Student was/is enrolled in a course of study or makeup program leading to a required diploma assessment;
  • The student met or exceeded the expected learning outcomes for the course; and
  • A major life event has significantly impacted or prevented the student from participating in such assessment.
The student, parent/guardian, or school counselor, teacher, or administrator may initiate the request for this exemption by completing the request form found here.
 
The request for the exemption must be granted prior to the scheduled administration of the assessment.  Therefore, all requests for the January 2026 assessments must be submitted to the school counselor no later than 1:00 PM on Friday January 16, 2026, to allow for the internal review process and final determination of the request.
 
If granted, this exemption applies only to the approved diploma assessment(s).  Students still need to meet all other graduation requirements, including required units of study.
 
Please see the full FAQ document from NYSED, which outlines this information and many other important questions and answers. If you have any questions or need further information or assistance with this process, please contact your child’s school counselor.