New York Dumbs Down Its Graduates
Empire State high schoolers have been measuring their knowledge on Regents exams since 1878. They must take five exams—English, math, science, social studies and “any additional” test. But starting in 2028 they’ll no longer have to pass the exams to graduate. A Board of Regents commission recommended this change in 2023, and on Monday the Regents voted to instruct the state Education Department to move ahead.
State officials insist they’re not rejecting rigor, but their ideas for replacing the graduation standards aren’t reassuring. Though details aren’t final, a state Education Department statement notes that state tests will be one of “multiple sources of evidence” that schools and districts use to assess students. Others include teacher observations and “performance-based learning experiences.”
Districts will also have to find a way to measure students for graduation by a new “portrait of a graduate,” who can be only 1/6th “academically prepared.” His other five attributes can include “reflective and future focused” and a “global citizen.” You can’t make this stuff up. This graduation overhaul is about “creating deeper, more meaningful educational experiences,” said state Education Commissioner Betty Rosa.
