NY is the only state that assigns its students regents’ exams. According to Spectrum Local News, the regents have been around since 1985. Ultimately, the grade is the basis for who gets a diploma and who doesn’t. Thankfully, whether sanity has finally kicked in or the state finally realized all students are different, this might be about to change. On Monday, the New York State Department of Education’s Board of Regents, released information about a new vision for the path to graduation.
This new plan has three main points: “adapting the NYS Portrait of a Graduate”, redefining credits, and removing the regents’ requirement.
Spectrum Local News has outlined the “NYS Portrait of a Graduate”. This new format will use specific criteria to assess and determine a student’s readiness to graduate. The “criteria” include being a global citizen, thinking critically, innovative problem solving, content literacy, cultural and social-emotional competencies, and effective communication.
Additionally, the Board of Regents has decided that students can gain credits through methods besides time-specified units. This, effectively ‘redefines” the credits. While passing exams including the regents can still give students credits, there are now other methods. These new methods include dual credit programs such as early college, getting a NY state seal or credential, and approved work or service-based learning. According to Board of Regents chancellor, Lester W. Young, this will provide all students with educational opportunities. According to Spectrum Local News, these new tactics will increase support for English language learners and students with disabilities.
Lastly, the regents will no longer be officially “required” for New York State students to graduate. Instead, students can decide to take them to assess where they are based on state standards.
While this is a long process, more information is planned to be announced in November, this is a step in the right direction. Removing an exam that no one else in the country, or the world, is taking will remove unnecessary stress from the shoulders of several NY students, allowing them all the same opportunity as their fellow students.
