The New York State Board of Regents has authorized the education department to draft new rules that could make Regents exit exams optional; a final vote is scheduled for June. The proposal is part of the NY Inspires roadmap to shift toward competency‑based diplomas and locally designed assessments. Supporters frame the change as an equity measure, while critics warn it could lower academic rigor unless reliable alternative assessments and accountability measures are established. The move comes as New York plans roughly $39 billion in school aid despite middling student outcomes.
New York May Make Regents Exams Optional as State Increases School Aid — Critics Warn of Lowered Standards
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The New York State Board of Regents voted this week to authorize the State Education Department to draft new graduation rules that could make the long‑standing Regents exit exams optional for high school students. The change, which the board described as an effort to remove barriers to graduation, will return to the Regents for a final vote in June.
What the Proposal Would Do
If approved, students would still be required to take federally mandated assessments in English, math and science and a state social studies exam, but Regents exams would no longer be mandatory for a diploma. Instead, local districts would be empowered to design alternative pathways to graduation that might include classroom assessments, teacher evaluations, portfolios, or demonstrations of competency through internships or project work.
Supporters Say It Promotes Equity
Lester W. Young Jr., Chancellor of the Board of Regents, said the move is intended to expand equity and make sure a student's zip code or background does not determine opportunities for success.
Proponents argue that a competency‑based approach lets students demonstrate readiness in multiple ways and move at their own pace, aligning with the NY Inspires roadmap and the Portrait of a Graduate framework that emphasize critical thinking, problem solving, and culturally responsive teaching.
Critics Raise Concerns About Rigor And Measurement
Opponents caution that eliminating mandatory Regents exams risks weakening academic standards unless clear, reliable alternatives are established. Analysts from the Manhattan Institute noted that while Regents exams are imperfect, proposed local assessments may provide less consistent insight into student learning. Assembly member Micah Lasher also criticized the plan as an attempt to paper over a lack of coherent statewide strategy to improve K‑12 outcomes.
Spending Versus Results
Questions about accountability come as New York's education spending remains high. The Citizens Budget Commission reports that in 2021–2022 New York's per‑pupil spending for elementary and secondary education was about 91 percent above the national average. The state plans roughly $39 billion in school aid for the coming year, a $1.7 billion increase from last year, even as overall student performance remains middling compared with other states.
What Happens Next
The Board of Regents will vote on the final changes in June. If approved, districts would begin designing local assessment pathways and the State Education Department would provide guidance for implementing the competency‑based framework in the years ahead. Supporters say the shift will modernize graduation requirements and promote equity; critics say it must be paired with strong, transparent measures to ensure standards and outcomes do not decline.
Sources: The New York Times, Chalkbeat New York, Albany ABC affiliate, Citizens Budget Commission, Manhattan Institute, New York Post.
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