Regents Weigh New Routes to a High School Diploma

The Board of Regents is discussing changes to New York State graduation requirements, which would allow students to swap out one of the five required Regents exams for an alternate test more in line with their interests. These options have been discussed for years but are finally moving forward with a vote by the Regents expected in October.

State Education Commissioner John King assured board members Monday that this "multiple pathways" plan will not weaken graduation requirements.

"We can recognize multiple pathways that are similarly rigorous, that ensure students are ready for college and careers, but allow a degree of student choice and a degree of variety in the programs that students pursue while in high school," he said.

If approved by the Regents next month, high school students could substitute one of the two social studies exams with a test in career and technical education, the arts or humanities. They would still have to take Regents exams in English, math and science to meet federal requirements.

Charles Szuberla, Assistant Commissioner for School Operations, said these multiple pathways could better meet the needs of employers. He noted that other countries are already doing more to incorporate work experience at the high school level. In Switzerland, for example, more than half the students are involved in workplace or technical experience while in high school. In New York, he said, the numbers are far lower: about 5 percent of students graduate with a career and technical education endorsement.

Szuberla also stated that there are already 13 nationally recognized exams that can be used as a Regents test in career and technical education, including culinary, automotive, information technology, metalworking, graphics and printing, electronics, agriculture and advertising.

"We would like to expand that list," he said, by also adding new exams in the arts and humanities.

Some of the Board of Regents members noted that these programs must be equitably spread around the state, and that parents are made aware of them.

Blue ribbon commissions will be looking at the different options for arts, humanities and career and technical education exams prior to a potential vote in October. If approved, students could take the different exams starting in the 2015-2016 school year.