New York to Phase Out Regents Exam Graduation Requirement, Sparking Debate on Education Standards
New York State is moving away from requiring students to pass a prescribed set of Regents exams for high school graduation, beginning with the class of 2028. The New York State Education Department will still administer state assessments mandated by federal law, but passing Regents exams will no longer be a prerequisite for a diploma. Instead, the state plans to implement a broader system allowing students to demonstrate proficiency through multiple measures. This change follows years of study and public engagement by the state Board of Regents, which argues that a single standardized examination should not be the sole determinant of graduation. Critics, such as Erika Sanzi, senior director of outreach for Defending Education, contend that this shift risks lowering academic standards and masking underlying educational deficiencies, arguing that the state should focus on helping struggling students meet existing standards rather than eliminating testing requirements.
