New York State has officially removed the requirement for students to pass Regents exams to earn a high school diploma. The state Board of Regents voted to eliminate the mandate, which had been in place for 30 years, starting with the graduating class of 2028. Previously, students needed to pass at least four Regents exams in subjects such as math, English, science, and Global Studies to graduate.
The decision follows a trend of lowered passing scores on the exams and a period where requirements were temporarily lifted during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, graduation rates rose to 87% in 2022. When Regents tests were reinstated, the state graduation rate dropped to 85%, and the rate in New York City fell to 81%, marking the largest year-over-year percentage decrease in two decades.
Opponents of the change argue that removing the exam requirement will devalue high school diplomas and reduce accountability within the education system. They suggest that the move, influenced by teachers unions and Democratic officials, will lead to diplomas being awarded without adequate demonstration of learning. The Board of Regents has stated that graduates will need to show "critical thinking" to receive a diploma, though specific standards for this requirement have not yet been established.
This policy shift comes as some families in New York are reportedly seeking alternatives such as charter schools, private schools, homeschooling, or relocating to other states, citing dissatisfaction with the public education system's perceived lack of academic rigor.