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High School Equivalency

The HSE Program

Millions of adults have completed their high school diploma in General Equivalency Diploma programs, known as the GED. However, the term GED is now trademarked and the correct term is HSE for High School Equivalency.

The HSE program is designed to increase a student’s employment potential or to enroll in a higher education program. The TASC (Test Assessing Secondary Completion) is an exam to determine whether an individual has attained standard high school level academic skills. Individuals who pass the exam are awarded a HSE diploma.

The TASC exam can only be taken at official test centers across the state.  You cannot earn your HSE diploma through an online process. The test is a seven hour exam, administered over two days, and broken down into five separate smaller tests based on subject area: math, social studies, science, language arts reading and language arts writing. A student must pass each of the five tests. The TASC exam is overseen by the New York State Education Department.

The Syracuse City School District encourages students to enroll in a preparation course at one of our classroom sites with our certified teachers who will assist you with your studies. 

Our HSE preparation programs are FREE of charge. 

For HSE intake and registration please call 435-4115.  Ask for: Mickey Curtin or Ginny Langdon

Onondaga County HSE Preparation Programs:

Literacy CNY - Individuals who are out of school and 17 years old or older, reading below a 6 grade level 
100 New Street 
Syracuse, NY 13202
(315) 471-1300

OCM BOCES - Program for adult education
4500 Crown Road
Liverpool, NY 13090
(315) 453-4424

Syracuse City School District (SCSD) - Individuals who are 21 and older, live in the city of Syracuse or formerly incarcerated.
Sidney Johnson Vocational Center
573 East Genesee Street
Syracuse, NY 13202
(315) 435-4135

SUNY Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) - Individuals seeking programs leading to higher ed. or vocational training.
100 New Street
Syracuse, NY 13202
(315) 472-0130