National External Diploma Program (NEDP)

What is the NEDP?

• It is a competency-based, applied performance assessment pathway to a high school diploma

Who does it serve?

• It serves adults and out of school youth(OSY)

What are the Key Characteristics of NEDP?

• Focused on life and work skills
• Self-paced and flexible
• Appropriate for second language speakers and those who learn differently
• Learner self-efficacy and active engagement
• State or Local awarded high school diploma

Who are the NEDP clients?

• are self-directed learners and can work autonomously
• are mature adults with life experience who can document their work history, proof of a training program, or interest in postsecondary education
• demonstrate personal responsibility and problem solving
• are able to achieve a high intermediate level score on reading, writing, and math CASAS instruments

Current students that NEDP is an option for?

• HSE Students who have been unsuccessful in one or more parts of HSE
• Credit completion students who want a quicker path
• Advanced ELLs who want an HS credential but are not a good candidate for the HSE test

What are the Benefits of the NEDP?

• Provides nationally recognized diploma option for adults, especially English Language Learners and those with different learning needs
• Aligns to CCR Standards
• Allows clients to fulfill adult responsibilities while working on a high school diploma
• Offers a program relevant to adult needs
• Offers a completely remote option
• Promotes digital literacy skills

This is a very general overview, we have invited Margaret Kirkpatrick and Janita McNemar from the NEDP to present to our members an in-depth session on how the NEDP can benefit your program.  Please join us via Zoom on Friday, May 20 at 9:00 am Central/10:00 am Eastern for the IAACE Session, How the National Diploma Session can benefit your program.  Please register to attend at

The session will be recorded and available on the platform.

Credit: The information provided above is directly from slides provided by the NEDP within the IAACE Annual Membership meeting.