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Regents dumb down standards by dropping exams
New York Daily News • • nation
Key Points:
- The New York State Board of Regents and Education Department are phasing out the Regents exams requirement for high school diplomas without providing clear alternative standards, leading to concerns about lowered academic rigor.
- Education Commissioner Betty Rosa, former chancellor, justified the move by comparing public schools to elite private schools that do not require Regents exams, ignoring the disparities in curriculum rigor across public schools.
- Critics argue that Regents exams served as an objective measure of student achievement in essential subjects, and their removal risks subjective, inconsistent evaluations influenced by teacher and administrator biases.
- The decision is seen as influenced by political pressure from the teachers union, with little consideration for students and families who lack similar advocacy power.
- Details on the replacement system are expected months before implementation in the 2027-28 school year, leaving insufficient time for public discussion or thorough preparation.
