Regents Requirement Dropped

State education officials expand assessments State education officials this week eliminated the requirement that public school students pass standardized exams to graduate from high school. The Regents exams have been in place since the late 19th century, be administered in English, math, science and social studies. But beginning with the 2027-28 school year, New York State will no longer require a score of 65 or better on five of the exams. (The state said it will continue to administer assessments required by federal laws such as the Every Student Succeeds Act.) Instead, students will have the option to demonstrate proficiency in other ways that, according to the state, "draw on multiple sources of evidence," such as classroom assessments, capstone projects, performance-based learning experiences and teacher observations. Details for those are expected to be adopted next year. In a statement, state Education Commissioner Betty Rosa said that "a single test, taken on a single day, cannot fully capture everything a student knows, can do or needs to be ready for college, careers, civic life and the future." By adapting the measure of proficiency, the state is "raising the bar not only for what counts as achievement but also for how well we prepare young people for the future they will inherit," she said. The 17-member Board of Regents, which oversees education statewide, approved the change on Monday (Sept. 14). A Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures, which gathered input from parents, students, educators and other stakeholders before releasing its findings in 2023, recommended less emphasis on standardized tests. By November 2024, its recommendations had been condensed into a plan called NY Inspires, which includes four "transformations" of the educational system. The first transformation, the Portrait of a Graduate, was adopted in July 2025. It identifies six attributes — (1) academically prepared, (2) creative innovators, (3) critical thinkers, (4) effective communicators, (5) global citizens and (6) reflective and future-focused — that students must demonstrate proficiency in to graduate. The attributes emphasize "whole-child development" and may also be measured in a variety of ways, including portfolios, projects and presentations of learning, according to the Education Department. On Monday, the Regents approved another transformation that will take effect in 2027-28: the transition from three diplomas (local, Regents and Regents with Advanced Designations) to one. Students will have the opportunity to add seals and endorsements to their diplomas noting academic achievement. The final transformation, redefining the 22 course credits required for graduation, is pending. Not everyone is sold on the changes. In an essay published last month by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, a former New York City schoolteacher questioned how the Portrait of a Graduate's attributes would be measured, and whether so many alternative assessments could be implemented equitably. The success of NY Inspires will "depend on whether the state builds a system that's consistent and rigorous, or settles for one that clings to abstract ideals," said Meredith Coffey, the author. Rosa says equity is at the core of the plan. "It's about ensuring that every student, regardless of background, has the opportunity to demonstrate their learning in meaningful ways," she said. "That also means ensuring instruction and assessment reflect the diverse cultures, languages and lived experiences of New York's students."