Graduation

Alternative Education Pathways: Flexible Learning for School Age and Adults Learners

Earning Your Diploma through Flexible Pathways

Alternative education programs provide non-traditional educational approaches for students who do not thrive in traditional environments. They often serve learners who may need academic, behavior, social, or emotional interventions or are at-risk of dropping out. These programs are characterized by smaller class sizes, caring faculty, individualized instruction, and a focus on students’ needs, strengths, belonging and skill development. The goal is to provide opportunities for students to meet graduation requirements, prepare for post-secondary experiences, and become productive community members.

Click to Book an Appointment to Discuss Alternative Education: GED or HSED Pathways

Quick Links

Public Directory: Look up a HSED or GED® Credential

People or institutions can verify if an individual has completed a HSED or GED® by visiting the GED and HSED Public Directory.

Request a Copy of a HSED or GED® Transcript of Diploma

If you are seeking a regular high school diploma or GED® Option #2, contact your high school or school district.  You can find your local school district contact information in the Wisconsin School Directory.  

If you earned a HSED or GED® go to the GED and HSED Transcript and Diploma page.

DPI and this website cannot provide copies of regular high school diplomas or GED® Option #2.

K-12 Learner Pathways

Traditional Diploma and Reduced Credit

The state graduation requirements under Wis. Stats. 118.33 and 118.33(1m)(a)1, Section 266R total 15.5 credits and the successful passing of a civics exam. The 15.5 credits including the following:

  • English/Language Arts - 4 Credits
  • Math - 3 Credits
  • Science - 3 Credits
  • Social Studies - 3 Credits
  • Physical Education – 1.5 credits
  • Health – 0.5 credits (in grades 7-12)
  • Personal Financial Literacy- 0.5 credits

For more information about the civics graduation requirement, visit the Wisconsin Civics Graduation Requirement webpage. In addition, as specified in s. 118.33(1)(am)), the state superintendent shall encourage school boards to require an additional 8.5 credits selected from any combination of vocational education, world languages, fine arts, and other courses.

Additional Information about Graduation Requirements

  • School district graduation requirements are reported annually and can be found in WISEdash. 

     

Alternative Program or School

An alternative education program is defined under §115.28 (7) (e), Wis. Stats., as "an instructional program, approved by the school board, that utilizes successful alternative or adaptive school structures and teaching techniques and that is incorporated into existing, traditional classrooms or regularly scheduled curricular programs or that is offered in place of regularly scheduled curricular programs. Alternative education program does not include a private school or a home-based private educational program."  

Frequently the terms alternative school and alternative education program are used interchangeably without regard for the implications. An alternative program, whether on-site or off-site, is operated by the school district (or consortium of school districts) and students remain connected for purposes of enrollment, testing, school performance reporting, etc., to a specific school with a DPI assigned number.  

To find more information about your school district's alterative education options, contact your local school district through the Wisconsin School Directory.

To find more information about alternative education schools or programs, see the Alternative Education Programs Frequently Asked Questions resource.

GED® Option #2

Wisconsin law states that a school board may grant a high school diploma to a pupil who has not satisfied the credit requirements if:

  • The student was enrolled in an alternative education program
  • The school board determines that the pupil has demonstrated a level of proficiency in the subjects for which credits are required equivalent to that which they would have attained if they had satisfied the credit requirements

GED® Option #2, requires interested districts to submit an application (PI 8201) provide a narrative, and send signed assurances to Sherry Holly, sherry.holly@dpi.wi.gov at DPI.

For application and more information go to the GED Option #2 webpage.

118.15 Agreement (5.05 or 5.09)

Students in high school enrolled in a district that completed a 118.15 agreement can choose a High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) pathway for either 5.05 or 5.09.  School districts have the authority to award a regular diploma to students that earn a High School Equivalency Diploma. Wisconsin Legislature: 118.33

  • 5.05: Passing the GED® test and meeting additional requirements in health, citizenship, and employability skills. (The employability skills and career awareness requirements shall be waived for persons 55 years of age or older at their request.)
  • 5.09: Completion of a program approved by the state superintendent. This option will allow Wisconsin Technology College School (WTCS) districts, colleges, universities, and community-based organizations to request approval of programs that will lead to high school equivalency diplomas under this section. The rules specify that the programs must be based on the high school graduation standards and include employability skills training or assessment. Student must also pass the civics test with a score of 65 or better.

Challenge Academy and Job Corps also allow options for 5.05 and 5.09 pathways.

Competency-Based Education

Competency-Based Education is a pathway that allows school districts to use multiple measures to show that students demonstrate competency in all graduation areas (mathematics, science, English, social studies, health, civics, physical education, employability career exploration, and personal financial literacy) along with any additional graduation requirements.  Check with your local school district to see if this option is available for you or your family. For school districts interested in developing a Competency-Based Education pathway, contact Sherry Holly, Sherry.Holly@dpi.wi.gov.  

Challenge Academy

The Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Academy is a residential program committed to improving the quality of life for 16 to 18 year old at-risk teens. In the residential phase, much of the cadets’ time is spent in classrooms where preparing for the High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) testing is the priority. In addition to classroom instruction by licensed teachers, activities include anger management classes, character development curriculum, rappelling, ROPES courses, experiential activities, community service projects and leadership experiences.  For more information see the Challenge Academy webpage.

Job Corps

For information on Job Corps see the United States Department of Labor Job Corps webpage to find information, center locations, enrollment, and other information.

Adult Learner Pathways

General Education Development (GED)® Test Credential

Earning a GED® test credential or an HSED can help individuals improve their chances to find work, increase earnings, and pursue additional education through technical colleges, universities, or training programs. The DPI works in partnership with GED® Testing Service, the Wisconsin Technical College System, and other state, community, county, and local partners to support instruction as well as GED® test preparation and testing to Wisconsinites across the state.  To earn the GED® credential, individuals must pass the four (4) GED® subtests with a minimum score of 145 on each of the four (4) subtests and passed the civics test with a score of 65 or better.

For more information see the How to Get a GED® or HSED in Wisconsin webpage.

High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED)

Wisconsin offers five pathways for High School Equivalency Diplomas.  Each option is described in Wisconsin Administrative Code under Public Instruction (PI) 5.  These five pathways are:

  • PI 5.05: Passing the GED® test and meeting additional requirements in health, citizenship, and employability skills. (The employability skills and career awareness requirements shall be waived for persons 55 years of age or older at their request.)
  • PI 5.06: Attainment of credits. This option is most closely related to completion of an actual high school program of study. Persons who have attained, or nearly attained, the 22 high school credits, but who have not graduated, may be eligible for a diploma from their local school district by earning the additional credits required. If the person is not able to obtain a diploma from the school district, he or she may be granted a high school equivalency diploma from the state superintendent. Student must also pass the civics test with a score of 60 or better. 
  • PI 5.07: Post-secondary education. Persons who complete a full year of post-secondary education may be issued a high school equivalency diploma. This option requires the completion of 24 semester or 32 quarter credits of post-secondary education, which must include credits in any area of study (except physical education) in which the person did not meet the high school graduation requirements. For example, a person who earned 2 credits each in math, science, English, and social studies, and 0.5 in health during high school, would be required to include course work in English and social studies in post-secondary study. Student must also pass the civics test with a score of 60 or better. 
  • PI 5.08: Foreign degree or diploma. This option allows persons who completed the equivalent of high school or post-secondary study in another country, to be granted a high school equivalency diploma from the state superintendent. Student must also pass the civics test with a score of 60 or better. 
  • PI 5.09: Completion of a program approved by the state superintendent. This option will allow WTCS districts, colleges, universities, and community-based organizations to request approval of programs which will lead to high school equivalency diplomas under this section. The rules specify that the programs must be based on the high school graduation standards and include employability skills training or assessment. Student must also pass the civics test with a score of 60 or better. 

For more information see the How to Get a GED® or HSED in Wisconsin webpage.

Contacts

Alternative Education Administration
Sherry Holly, Consultant
(608) 267-1062
gedhsedadmin@dpi.wi.gov

Click to Book an Appointment to Discuss Alternative Education: GED or HSED Pathways

 

Alternative Education Links

HSED and GED® Links

Alternative Education Programs and Standards