New York Is Working To Make Regents Exams Voluntary

The Regents exams were first administered in 1878. In the late 1990s, the Board of Regents made passing five specific exams mandatory for a high school diploma. 

In 2019, the New York State Board of Regents and the New York State Education Department launched the “Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures Initiative”. The Blue Ribbon Commission presented its recommendations to the Regents in June 2024.  

Based on the Commission’s recommendations, the State Education Department unveiled a plan to de-emphasize Regents exams used for decades. There are four main areas: adopt a NY State portrait of a graduate, redefine credits, sunset diploma requirements, and move to one diploma. 

The plan states that students will no longer need to pass the Regents exams to earn a high school diploma. Students will continue to take mandated exams in English, Algebra, and Science because they are required by federal law. While they are required to take the exams, they do not have to pass them to graduate.  In November 2024, the Department’s implementation plan will be presented to the Board of Regents with projected timelines, affected regulations, and other considerations.  The Regents exams will still be offered but students will be able to prove their proficiency in other ways, yet to be defined, such as projects or public service. 

The NY State Board of Regents must approve any changes to the State’s graduation requirements. The existing requirements remain in effect for all public school students in New York. 

To learn more, please see the press release issued by the New York State Education Department on June 10th, 2024.