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We understand why there was barely a yawn from the public a few weeks ago when the state Board of Regents officially decoupled the Regents exams from the state's graduation requirements.
It was really a pro forma step that everyone knew the state was going to take as part of its effort to create new pathways to a high school diploma. So, while it is a noteworthy change for the seniors in the Class of 2028 who won't be required to pass four Regents exams in math, English, science and global studies to graduate, it also would have been news if the Board of Regents hadn't changed the requirement.
But there is a good reason to pay attention.
We echo many of the concerns that have been raised over the past few weeks that phasing out the Regents exams as a graduation requirement decreases the quality of a diploma from New York schools. Among them are former Gov. George Pataki, who was governor when the Regents requirement to graduate was put in place.
"Getting rid of the Regents is incredibly stupid," Pataki told the New York Post this week. "It seems like the Education Department's main function right now is to disguise the fact that too many New York State schools are failing to educate our kids."
One could argue that part of the reason schools are struggling is the Regents exam itself. For many students, passing a Regents exam makes no difference in their life after high school – particularly for those entering the workforce but even many New York graduates who are going to college. And we all know that a majority of teachers are teaching students to pass the Regents, which hurts the overall learning process for many students.
We'd prefer to pay more attention to what could replace the Regents. While the tests won't be a requirement to graduate next year, students can still take them if they choose and receive an advanced designation on their diploma. So, for students who plan on attending college, the Regents exams will still be important.
We're concerned that the state Education Department and Board of Regents, who have been talking about new graduation standards since 2019, still don't have an approved plan in place to actually replace the Regents. There are a lot of ideas, but nothing concrete. Drying paint is moving at the speed of light when compared to the Board of Regents' pace in creating new graduation requirements that then still have to be implemented by local school districts. That delay is crucial – because it really is up to local school districts to uphold high-quality programs and a quality diploma under whatever it is the Board of Regents approves. The less certainty there is now from the state, the less time local districts have to create graduation requirements that live up to the lofty ideals the Regents exams once set.
The Board of Regents is only dumbing down education if local school districts allow them to do so. We have our doubts about the Board of Regents' policy, but if local school superintendents, school staff and school boards are worth their salt then Chautauqua County can still have diplomas that mean something when students accept them on graduation day.