CUNY Graduation Rates Plummet Amidst Concerns Over Educational Standards

Graduation rates across the City University of New York (CUNY) system have fallen by nearly 10% in the last five years, with a notable decrease at its four-year undergraduate colleges. The graduation rate at these institutions dropped from 62% in 2022 to 55.6% in the most recent academic year. At CUNY's two-year schools, the rate declined from 38.9% to 35.5%. The popular three-year Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) also experienced a substantial drop in completion rates, falling from 44% to 34.5%.

These declining rates have led to criticism from former Governor George Pataki, who has blamed the State Board of Regents and the current administration for a "war on standards." Pataki specifically condemned the Regents' recent decision to discontinue the exams-based Regents diploma, calling it "incredibly stupid." He argued that this move serves as a cynical attempt to mask the failures of New York's educational institutions in adequately preparing students.

"Instead of doing the appropriate testing so that corrective measures could be taken to improve [kids’ performance], they simply get rid of the tests to hide their failure," Pataki stated, suggesting that the elimination of standardized tests disguises the fact that too many schools are not effectively educating their students. He posited that the State Education Department had previously lowered the bar on Regents exams to maintain graduation numbers, and now, by eliminating the diploma entirely, they have removed the benchmark for success.

Critics contend that while high-achieving students can still opt to take Regents exams, the new system makes it easier for schools to appear successful without demanding rigorous academic performance. This, they argue, leaves students ill-prepared for higher education, a situation reflected in the falling CUNY graduation rates. The article suggests that CUNY's student population is largely comprised of graduates from New York City public schools, implying that the city's Department of Education has failed to adequately prepare them for college-level work, citing eight years of leadership under former Mayor Bill de Blasio and subsequent prolonged COVID-19 school closures.

Former Governor Pataki, who was instrumental in the appointment of the current Regents, expressed disappointment in the current leadership's direction. He noted that while the State Constitution grants Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie significant influence over Regent appointments, both Governor Kathy Hochul and her predecessor, Governor Andrew Cuomo, could have taken stronger stances against policies perceived as detrimental to students.

The article also points to the current administration in New York City, with Mayor Zohran Mamdani reportedly showing little interest in educational reform beyond childcare expansion. The choice of Kamar Samuels as schools chancellor is characterized as the appointment of a "failed-upward functionary," further suggesting a lack of focus on core educational improvements.