Albany, N.Y. – The New York State Board of Regents announced on Monday that beginning with the cohort graduating in January 2028, students will no longer need to pass a Regents exam to receive a high school diploma. The change is intended to give schools more flexibility while still meeting federal testing mandates.
Why the exams stay
Although the passing requirement is being removed, the state will continue to administer Regents exams in English, math, science and social studies. Federal law still obligates states to test high‑school students in those core subjects, and New York uses the Regents exams to satisfy that requirement. The scores will also remain a key component of the state’s school‑accountability system, helping officials identify schools that may need additional support.
Impact on students and schools
Robert Lowry, senior education, finance and policy analyst for the New York State Council of School Superintendents, said the exams will still serve as a way for students to demonstrate “superior achievement.” He noted that students could earn seals and endorsements based on their Regents results, providing recognition for academic excellence even without a graduation pass requirement.
Lowry also explained that keeping the exams for now avoids duplicate testing. A new statewide assessment system is slated for rollout in spring 2030, but until then the Regents exams will continue to fulfill both federal compliance and the state’s own accountability goals.
Teacher perspective
Many educators have expressed concern that the pressure to prepare students for Regents exams can detract from broader classroom learning. Lowry agreed, saying that “in some cases it harms instruction,” because teachers feel compelled to cover every possible test topic rather than explore subjects that capture students’ interests.
Next steps
Current graduation requirements remain unchanged until the new policy is finalized. Students graduating before January 2028 must still meet the existing Regents or approved alternative requirements. The removal of the passing requirement still requires final regulatory approval, and the transition will be phased in with the first graduating class in early 2028.
The Board of Regents also indicated that the academic accountability calculations will stay consistent during the transition, using each student’s highest valid Regents scores in the four core subjects. This continuity is meant to ensure that school performance metrics remain reliable while the state works toward a new assessment system.
Original reporting: CBS 6 WRGB Albany (local) — read the source article.
