Regents exams would no longer be the only path to high school graduation starting in 2027 under a plan unveiled Monday by the state Department of Education.
Instead, students could meet graduation requirements through such programs as civic volunteer participation or research projects.
State education officials said Monday that the plan’s goals were:
- To create equity in New York State public education.
- To ensure New York’s students gain the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the future.
The changes would mean replacing the three diploma types with one diploma, with the option to add seals and endorsements, as well as adding a financial literacy requirement.
“The Board of Regents is firmly committed to the belief that all students deserve meaningful, rigorous, and inclusive learning opportunities in school. We are equally dedicated to empowering all students to showcase their knowledge and skills in diverse and significant ways,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr.