Bill > A00129

This bill directs the commissioner of education to change the name of the state high school equivalency diploma, formerly known as the General Education Development (GED) program, to the "Excelsior diploma". The bill systematically amends multiple sections of New York state law to replace references to "high school equivalency diploma", "GED", and "general education development" with "Excelsior diploma". This name change affects various legal contexts, including education, social services, labor, and corrections laws. The bill requires the commissioner to create rules and regulations to implement this name change, and ensures that the diploma's status and recognition remain the same, just with a new name. The change appears to be primarily a branding effort, modernizing the terminology for the alternative high school diploma while maintaining its fundamental purpose of providing an educational credential for individuals who have not completed traditional high school. The bill will take effect 90 days after becoming law, with some specific provisions having different implementation dates.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A129