New York to remove Regents exams as high school graduation requirement

The New York State Board of Regents has voted to remove the requirement for students to pass Regents exams to earn a high school diploma, effective with the graduating class of 2028. While the exams will continue to be used by the New York State Education Department to measure achievement of state learning standards, they will no longer serve as a mandatory prerequisite for graduation.

Board of Regents Chancellor Lester Young Jr. stated that the change aims to provide students with “rich, high-quality learning experiences and meaningful opportunities to demonstrate what they know and can do.” The new policy is intended to grant schools more flexibility to utilize local assessments and projects.

However, the decision has faced criticism. Former New York Governor George Pataki, who oversaw the implementation of the exams during his tenure, described the move as “incredibly stupid.” Pataki argued that removing the tests may serve to mask failures in the state's education system rather than addressing them through corrective measures. Critics also expressed concerns regarding student motivation and the loss of a consistent statewide academic benchmark.