Regents Competency High School tests, or simply The RCT's, are exit exams given to identified special education students with Individualized Education Programs or students with a 504 plan seeking a high school diploma but cannot pass the difficult Regents exams. This is given through the New York State Education Department, designed and administered under the authority of the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York.
The RCT's can be taken before a student fails the corresponding Regents exam if this will help them be less stressed when taking the Regents, so they know that graduation does not hinge on a Regents exam. However there are some RCT exams that must be taken after a student fails the corresponding Regents exam. The RCT's are available for students until they graduate or when they turn 21. If they still cannot pass all of the RCT exams, an IEP diploma is awarded instead. An IEP diploma is not the equivalent to a high school diploma. This is a certificate given to students who complete the twelfth grade but do not pass required testing. It is sometimes referred to as a certificate of attendance. This diploma can be given to special education and general education students.
* Ninth grade
o Students take the Math and Science RCT in June. This is done incase the students fail the Math and Living Environment Regents which will be taken next year.
* Tenth grade
o Students take the Math and Living Environment Regents in June. Students will also take the Global Regents as well. Students can take the Global RCT after they failed the Global Regents.
* Eleventh grade
o Students take the Reading RCT in January. In June, students take the English and U.S. History Regents. Students can take the U.S. History RCT after they failed the U.S. History Regents.
* Twelfth grade
o Students take the Writing RCT in January if they have failed the English Regents.
There are 6 RCT's that are administered. They can be taken in January, June and August. The Global and U.S. History Regents are the only exception that does not allow students to take the RCT tests before students fail the corresponding Regents exam.