New York Graduation Changes
New York eliminates mandatory Regents exams for high school graduation starting with the class of 2028.
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Key Points
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Under the current system, students generally must pass assessments in English, mathematics, science, social studies and a pathway assessment; students seeking a Regents diploma with advanced designation face additional requirements.
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The state plans to expand federally required state assessments, currently administered in grades 3-8, to the high school level, while districts will be responsible for developing and administering local assessments.
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The competency-based framework is organized around six high-level attributes, including critical thinking and effective communication, and is expected to be fully phased in for students entering high school in September 2029, along with new credit requirements.
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The proposal drew criticism from education advocates who said schools still lack guidance on how to measure proficiency in core subjects for students currently in grades 9-11, prompting at least one major advocacy group to call for pausing the transition.
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Ray Domanico of the Manhattan Institute, while supporting rigorous standards, criticized the recent Regents system as producing unmeaningful results because of alleged exam “scrubbing” and cheating.
New York's Board of Regents voted to end the requirement that high school students pass Regents exams to graduate, effective with the class of 2028 WBNG. Current seniors will be the last class forced to take the mandatory exams. The state plans to replace its three diploma categories with a single high school diploma while keeping Regents exams optional for students who want to showcase advanced achievement NY Post.
Instead of relying on a single high-stakes test, students will prove proficiency through classroom assessments, projects, teacher observations, and local evaluations Daily Wire. State officials say this approach preserves rigor while giving students more ways to demonstrate learning. Critics, however, warn that schools still lack clear guidance on how to measure proficiency for students currently in grades 9-11 SI Live.
How the New System Will Measure Student Learning
Students will demonstrate proficiency through a mix of classroom work, performance-based tasks, and state assessments rather than passing required Regents exams Head Topics. Districts will design and run their own local assessments aligned to state standards. The state will expand federally required testing to the high school level, which currently exists only in grades 3-8.
The framework is built around six core attributes: critical thinking, effective communication, and others. Advanced recognition will come through optional Regents exams or special seals and endorsements on diplomas WBNG. This separates school accountability from individual graduation decisions.
Timeline for Rolling Out NY Inspires
The Education Department will propose formal rule changes in February 2027, followed by a public comment period NY Post. The Board of Regents plans to vote on final approval in June 2027. Implementation begins in the 2027-28 school year for the class of 2028.
The full competency-based framework rolls out for students entering high school in September 2029, along with new credit requirements Daily Wire. This phased approach gives schools time to prepare local assessments and train educators on the new system.
Questions Remain on Fairness and Consistency
Education advocates worry that local assessments could vary widely in rigor and resources across districts, creating unequal standards SI Live. Students in wealthier areas might get better assessments than those in under-resourced schools. The state has not yet provided clear guidance on how to measure proficiency in core subjects for current students in grades 9-11.
Supporters argue that local flexibility helps students show learning in ways beyond a single test. Ray Domanico of the Manhattan Institute backs rigorous standards but criticized the old Regents system for producing "unmeaningful results" due to alleged exam "scrubbing" and cheating SI Live. However, one major advocacy group called for pausing the transition until guidance is clear.
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