State Seeks Input on Graduation Requirements

Aug 29, 2024 | State Education Department

The New York State Education Department is seeking feedback on its proposed transformation of state graduation requirements through regional forums across the state. Questar III BOCES will hold three forums as follows:

  • Wednesday, Sept. 11, from 5 to 7 p.m. in person at 10 Empire State Boulevard in Castleton. Attendees will be able to work in small groups to discuss and provide feedback on the department’s proposed vision for implementing the recommendations of the Blue-Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures. Pre-registration is required and can be made online at https://tinyurl.com/BOR-public.
  • An additional in-person forum will be held for educators at 10 Empire State Boulevard in Castleton from 1 to 4 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 16. Register at https://tinyurl.com/edu-forum.
  • A virtual forum for students will be held via Zoom from 12 to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25. Register at https://tinyurl.com/BOR-students. Students should speak to their parents and principal before registering as this will be held during the school day.

In 2019, the State Board of Regents and Education Department launched the Graduation Measures Initiative to explore what a New York State diploma should signify to ensure educational excellence and equity for all students. The initiative was developed to create true equity in New York State’s public education systems and ensure that all students gain the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in school and after they graduate.

In November 2023, the Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures presented its recommendations for future diploma requirements to the Board of Regents. Since then, NYSED created a vision to implement these recommendations which include four transformations:

  • Adopting the New York State Portrait of a Graduate — Intended to create a shared understanding of the skills and knowledge that New York State public school graduates have mastered. To earn a high school diploma, a student will have to demonstrate proficiency in each component of the portrait, meaning that they must be critical thinkers, innovative problem solvers, literate across all content areas, culturally competent, socially-emotionally competent, effective communicators, and global citizens.
  • Redefine Credits — To focus on proficiency rather than upon the completion of time-based units of study. The goal is to expand the ways in which students may demonstrate their mastery of the state’s learning standards and attainment of the various components of the Portrait of a Graduate. Students would be permitted to demonstrate proficiency in a number of different ways, including, for example, through approved work- or service-based learning experiences; dual credit programs such as early college high school; earning a New York State seal or credential; traditional high school courses; approved Career and Technical Education programs; participation in the arts; and passing approved assessments, including Regents exams. The Department’s vision in this area supports the needs of all students, including students with disabilities and English language learners.
  • Sunset Diploma Assessment Requirements — Decoupling specific assessment requirements from graduation requirements. Doing so means that students will no longer need to pass the Regents exams or a +1 Pathway Assessment to graduate from high school. Regents Examinations will continue to be available as one of the measures by which students may demonstrate their proficiency in meeting the State’s learning standards. They will still take specific state-level assessments required by federal law to track progress across New York.
  • Move to One Diploma — Under the Department’s recommendations, districts would be required to confer diplomas to all students who satisfy the State’s requirements. This approach would eliminate the local diploma, the “advanced designation” diploma would become a seal or endorsement, and districts would be authorized to add additional seals and endorsements.

“The educational transformation we envision reflects the thoughtful input we received from our stakeholders – particularly from public school students and their families,” Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said in June when the New York State Education Department presented its vision, based on recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures.

In November 2024, the Department’s implementation plan will be presented to the Board of Regents with projected timelines, affected regulations, and other considerations. The Board must approve any changes to the State’s graduation requirements.

For additional information about the graduation measures initiative, visit //www.nysed.gov/grad-measures.

 

 

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