Alternative High Schools & GED Programs

Alternative high schools have been undergoing recent growth in the New York City Department of Education’s Office (NYC DOE) of Multiple Pathways to Graduation. Since 2003, these programs have increased dramatically within the NYCDOE.

The original GED examination was adopted in 1942 for members of the armed forces returning from World War II, who had left high school in order to serve in the war. The military, concerned about issues of morale, did not want returning servicemen to have to re-enroll in high school; to show support for the war heroes, college administrators agreed to recognize the GED as an alternative route into higher education. The American Council on Education secured the copyrights to the exam and became responsible for its development and administration. The test was later opened to civilians in 1947.

Alternative high schools are administered within the New York City Department of Education. All GED testing in New York State is overseen by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). NYSED contracts with schools, community-based organizations, and other programs who administer GED tests in each city or county in the state. GED preparation is not centralized under any one public agency; rather, they operate within four sub-systems: the New York City Department of Education, the City University of New York (CUNY), community-based organizations, and the public libraries.

Alternative high schools are funded with local education funds, similar to traditional high schools. GED programs are funded by a range of state, local, and federal sources.

All New York City residents age 21 and under have the right to receive educational services from the New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE), even if they have been formally discharged (“dropped out”) from high school.

The NYC DOE offers a range of schools and programs, alternative high schools and programs that are designed to serve young people, 21 and under, who have fallen behind in high school or left school before completion, to receive a full high school diploma.

In addition to these programs, individuals age 17 and over are eligible to enroll in public programs toward the goal of passing the General Educational Development (GED). There are a variety of different program settings available for those between the ages of 17 and 21, as well as for those who are 21 and over.