New York to end Regents exam graduation requirement for Class of 2028

Regents exams will remain in use as one of several ways students can demonstrate academic proficiency under New York’s revised graduation policy.

For decades, Regents exams have been a milestone for New York high school students. Now, the state is reworking how those tests factor into a student’s path to graduation.

According to state officials, beginning with the Class of 2028, students will no longer be required to pass a set of Regents exams in order to graduate.

Former Long Island Regent Roger Tilles said the change reflects concerns about whether the exams were accurately measuring student learning.

"It became clear to us we were not testing the right thing and testing the right way," Tilles said.

Tilles also questioned whether Regents exam results always reflected a student's mastery of a subject.

"We don't know if they really mastered the subject. Some students graduated with honors in a subject, but couldn't pass a Regents test," he said.

Students are already reacting to the change. Stavros Kentrotas, a senior at Manhasset High School, said he supports the new policy.

"I think it is a great change and it will make things a lot easier for high schoolers," Kentrotas said.

The change does not mean Regents exams are going away.

The Board of Regents said the exams will continue to serve as "rigorous measures of academic achievement." The tests will remain one of several ways students can demonstrate proficiency in New York's high school learning standards.

Tilles said districts may continue to use Regents exams in different ways.

"Some districts might use it as a final. Some districts might want to see if they are teaching it right or teaching it wrong. It's as much for the teachers as it is the students," he said.

Not everyone supports the change.

Tom Adams of Manhasset said he believes removing the graduation requirement could lower academic expectations.

"I think they are making it too easy for all the students. They need an education. Put the phones away, put everything away and get back to basics. That's what we need," Adams said.

The new policy will take effect at the start of the 2027-28 school year.