New York moves one step closer to eliminating Regents exams as graduation requirement

New York students who started high school this year may not need to pass Regents exams in order to graduate.
The change is part of a new plan from the state department of education to make graduation requirements more fair and equitable for students. The department presented the plan to the Board of Regents Monday during its monthly meeting.
If the board approves the plan, the department would phase out Regents exam requirements, implement one diploma for students across the state and introduce new instruction requirements. In a press release Monday, Lester Young, the Board of Regents chancellor, hinted that the board was in favor of the plan, saying it aligned with the its “commitment to equity and excellence for all students.”
“This plan is essential for ensuring that all students in New York State, no matter their background or circumstances, receive high-quality instruction that equips them for success in a complex and rapidly evolving world,” Young said.
New York is one of eight states in the country that requires students to pass exams in order to graduate from high school. Students, educators and parents have long criticized the exams for being an unfair and insufficient way to measure proficiency.
While supporters of the exams say they are a way to help improve student achievement, research shows that they serve little purpose and can harm disadvantaged students.
Under the proposed plan, students would be able to choose from a variety of ways to demonstrate that they’ve met the state standards needed to graduate. These could include project-based assessments or work experiences, like internships.
It would also offer all students one standard New York state diploma instead of the three diplomas students can currently earn — the local, regents or regents advanced diplomas — which each have different requirements. Students will be able to earn special certifications on their diplomas to demonstrate their achievements.
The plan would add new course requirements as well, including that students earn a credit in career, technology and education, or CTE, and receive instruction on financial literacy and the climate.
The department is introducing the changes in phases, starting with students who entered ninth grade last year. Those who were stated high school in the 2023-24 school year will still be required to pass the exams, but may be able to receive an exemption for major life events or extenuating circumstances.
Students who started ninth grade this year or will start in 2025 or 2026 will still be required to take the exams, but don’t need to pass them in order to graduate. They will also be the first rounds of students to earn the same state diploma.
By January 2028, students will not be required to take the exams. Instead, they can choose to take them as one of multiple ways to demonstrate their skills. Some exams will also allow students to earn advanced certificates on their diplomas.
“Our objective is to provide greater opportunities for children to learn and grow, to be heard and valued, and to showcase their skills and knowledge,” Betty Rosa, the state’s commissioner of education, said in a press release Monday. “With this plan, we’re doing so much more than just preparing our students to graduate, we’re empowering them to lead, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.”
Maggie Hicks covers education, including the Syracuse City School District and Syracuse University. She can be reached at [email protected] or follow her on X @maggie_hickss.