NYS announces new graduation requirements after the cancellation of Regents Exams

(Photo from roas2college.com).

This morning, the New York State Education Department announced new guidance for schools and students due to the cancellation Regents Exams. The exams were cancelled in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students enrolled in grades 7 - 12 in the 2019-2020 school year will be exempt from passing their June 2020 exams in order to receive their diploma. 

The education department says students must meet one of the following eligibility requirements in order to qualify for the exemption:

  • The student is currently enrolled in a course of study culminating in a Regents examination and will have earned credit in such course of study by the end of the 2019-20 school year; or
  • The student is in grade 7, is enrolled in a course of study culminating in a Regents examination and will have passed such course of study by the end of the 2019-20 school year; or
  • The student is currently enrolled in a course of study culminating in a Regents examination and has failed to earn credit by the end of the school year. Such student returns for summer instruction to make up the failed course and earn the course credit and is subsequently granted diploma credit in August 2020; or
  • The student was previously enrolled in the course of study leading to an applicable Regents examination, has achieved course credit, and has not yet passed the associated Regents examination but intended to take the test in June 2020 to achieve a passing score.

“In times of crisis difficult decisions must be made and the Board of Regents knows these are ultimately the right ones for New York’s students,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Betty Rosa. “We are putting the safety of children, families and educators first, while ensuring that the hard work done by our students and teachers is honored. These are extraordinary decisions for an unprecedented time, and we thank our school communities for their support and continuing dedication during the statewide school closure.”

In addition, according to the new guidance from the State Education Department, “due to the school closures related to COVID-19, the Department delayed the rollout of state assessments aligned to the grades 3-8 Next Generation Learning Standards for English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics for one year, to spring 2022. Similarly, the alignment of state assessments to the New York P-12 Science Learning Standards will begin in spring 2023. Further, the state extended its current Grades 3-8 ELA and Math Testing contract by one year.”

Click here for the New York State Education Department's full press release.