Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - High School graduation requirements are changing in a major way after the State Education Department announced this week that high school students will no longer be required to pass Regents exams.
The Board of Regents authorized a single high school diploma, ending separate requirements that included Regents exams.
"We're catching up to what other states are doing," said Sweet Home Schools superintendent Mike Ginestre with WBEN. "I really appreciate that the New York State Education Department is giving school districts a lot of leeway in how they develop pathways to graduation."
Local control over requirements will be a big factor in determining what to do with the exams, which will still be an option for students.
"We have to see where our students are at, but I think the exciting part about it is it's an option," Ginestre said. "You can take them or we can develop pathways with other types of assessments to determine if you are a graduate."
The changes to the requirements will begin with students graduating in 2028.
"We're catching up to what other states are doing" - Mike Ginestre, Sweet Home Central School District
"We're catching up to what other states are doing" - Mike Ginestre, Sweet Home Central School District
