NEW ROCHELLE, NY (October 19, 2023) — Beginning with the Class of 2028, New York State students will no longer be required to pass Regents exams to graduate from high school. This change is part of a new approach emphasizing real-world application of learning while maintaining strong academic standards.
The state will transition to a single diploma system, eliminating the tiered local, Regents, and advanced diplomas. Students will still be able to earn advanced designations and special recognitions, which will be converted to seals or endorsements on the standard diploma.
New requirements will include career-connected learning experiences and mandated instruction in finance and climate education. As these changes take effect, New York will implement its “Portrait of a Graduate” standards, focusing on graduates being academically prepared, creative innovators, critical thinkers, effective communicators, global citizens, reflective, and future-focused.
While Regents exams will continue to be administered to measure academic performance and meet federal requirements, school districts will shift toward assessments like classroom observations, student work, and performance-based tasks to determine student readiness.
Current students will follow existing requirements, but the Class of 2028 will not need to pass a specific set of Regents exams to graduate. “For New Rochelle, this transition provides an important opportunity to build upon the work already underway at New Rochelle High School and throughout our schools to prepare students for success beyond graduation,” said New Rochelle Superintendent Dr. Corey W. Reynolds.
Reynolds added, “As NYSED creates greater flexibility in how students demonstrate their learning, we will continue expanding rigorous and meaningful opportunities for students to think deeply, apply their learning, solve meaningful problems, and demonstrate what they know and can do.”
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.
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