The public’s first look at new draft graduation standards for New York’s high school students will come this fall.

The state Board of Regents Graduation Measures Blue Ribbon Commission, co-chaired by Vice Chancellor Josephine V. Finn and Regent Judith Chin, held its final meeting this week in Albany to develop the graduation recommendations.

Developing the standards has been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. There has also been criticism of the new standards as an attempt to lower graduation standards in New York by eliminating the state Regents exams.

“The intent of this initiative was never to lower standards; to the contrary, it focused on placing all New York state students on a success trajectory by providing them access to the necessary opportunities and support they need,” said Lester Young, Regents chancellor. “The commission’s ultimate recommendations culminate from a robust stakeholder input process and an extensive review of relevant research, literature, and experience. I thank everyone, from the parents and students we heard from, to our co-chairs and the entire Blue Ribbon Committee for their input. I look forward to reviewing the final recommendations.”

A report CCNetwork conducted on behalf of the state Board of Regents and state Education Department released in November 2022 will help form the basis for the new standards. That report reviewed education in seven states, three Canadian provinces and requirements in England, Germany and Switzerland.

Countries were selected based on a history of high academic performance, with Germany and Switzerland selected specifically because of pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship opportunities given to high school students and partnerships with business and employers.

The researchers found all of the states surveyed have a variety of diploma types, course requirements and testing requirements and are adding new requirement that include civic engagement and civics, financial literacy and some aspect of work-based learning. The school year and school hours didn’t vary much from 180 days and 990 hours for high school students. Career and technical education are becoming more prominent as federal, state and local officials note workforce gaps widening. Many states begin discussing career options with students by fifth grade while 36 states require some form of career planning such as an individual learning plan, an individual graduation plan or individual career plan.

New Yorkers will find out how closely the state’s new graduation standards resemble those in the study in a few months.

“Going into this process, we knew the current system wasn’t working for all students,” said Betty Rosa, state education commissioner. “Thanks to the voices of all those involved in the Commission, we will soon have a roadmap for learning-centered education that best meets the needs of every student in New York State and incorporates competency imperatives that provide them the practical skills needed for the dynamic demands of tomorrow’s workforce. This vital work will allow students to demonstrate what they’ve learned in a meaningful way as they prepare for college, career, and civic life. As something that started as a vision when I was chancellor, I am thankful to the co-chairs and members of the Blue Ribbon Commission for their work on this endeavor and am grateful for their invaluable input throughout this process. They have conducted this work honorably, engaging in a trusting dialogue while respecting the views of all.”