Recently, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and Board of Regents announced their proposed changes to high school graduation requirements.
As part of the state’s NY Inspires initiative, introduced in 2019, New York is exploring changes to how students demonstrate readiness for graduation and life after high school. At its September meeting, the Board of Regents released this update including a tentative framework and timeline for changes. It is anticipated that beginning with students scheduled to graduate in 2028 (current Junior class), New York will transition to a single high school diploma pathway. As part of this change, students will no longer be required to pass a prescribed set of Regents exams as a separate requirement for earning a diploma.
“First, and most importantly, there is nothing specific, students or parents/guardians need to do to be prepared for the coming changes,” says Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction David Collins. “We have been following the NY Inspires initiative since 2019 and feel properly informed and ready to respond as changes evolve. Each student in the district is just as prepared to meet graduation requirements today as they were before this announcement was made.”
Additional guidance and regulations are expected later this school year. Until those regulations are formally adopted, all current graduation requirements remain in effect. It is important to note that Regents examinations are not being eliminated. They will continue to be administered and remain an important measure of student achievement and mastery of New York State learning standards.
While much of the recent discussion has focused on Regents examinations, they are only one component of the broader work underway to modernize New York State’s graduation and assessment system. As part of this effort, New York State is exploring additional ways for students to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and competencies they develop throughout their educational experience and their readiness for success beyond high school.
What This Means for Students Right Now
For the 2026-27 school year, all current graduation and assessment requirements remain in effect. Students will continue to attend classes, complete required coursework and credits, prepare for and take Regents examinations, and follow their current academic plans.
At this time, there are no immediate changes to student schedules, course requirements, or academic expectations and the graduating class of 2027 must complete all current regents exam requirements to graduate this June.
Looking Ahead
New York State is gradually moving toward a broader approach to determining student readiness for life after high school. This work is guided by the state’s Portrait of a Graduate, which outlines the knowledge, skills, and qualities students should develop before graduation.
The Portrait of a Graduate identifies six key attributes:
- Academically Prepared
- Creative Innovator
- Critical Thinker
- Effective Communicator
- Global Citizen
- Reflective and Future Focused
These attributes reflect the state’s vision for ensuring all students graduate ready to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
“Until any changes take effect, students at BH-BL will continue to follow all existing course, credit, and Regents examination requirements,” adds Collins. “We will continue to keep families informed as additional guidance becomes available and will approach any future changes with students at the center of our planning and decision-making.”
Collins adds: “We feel that we are well positioned for any changes that may come and that they will likely increase flexibility for students. We will keep our faculty, students and community informed as we learn of new information and work together to develop high quality opportunities where we have discretion.”
The NY Inspires initiative website also provides detailed information on the Portrait of a Graduate and current timelines for information. [Follow this link to visit the NY Inspires website.]