NY may revise high school graduation requirements. Here’s what the state is considering – syracuse.com

A commission studying graduation requirements made recommendations today about changing and expanding how students can earn high school diplomas in New York.

The recommendations aim to recognize that students need 21st-century skills such as critical and creative thinking, collaboration and communication. Regents exams don’t necessarily measure these competencies, the panel told the Board of Regents today.

Panel members said the idea is to get away from a one-size-fits-all assessment. Right now, students can earn a local diploma, a Regents diploma or an advanced Regents diploma. Any diploma type requires earning 22 credits.

Instead, the panel of about 40 people including teachers, school staff and parents say students should be evaluated in a variety of ways, from writing and math skills to artistic and on-the-job experiences.

At the same time, schools should take into account individual students’ experiences when determining graduation status. That could include students who are from other countries, students who’ve experienced a family loss, or students who’ve excelled at internships.

“Every student has unique talents, skills, and interests, and a one-size-fits-all approach fails to recognize and nurture these differences,’’ said state Education Commissioner Betty A Rose. “We must remove barriers and facilitate equitable access to education by addressing the individual needs of students, increasing opportunities for work-based learning or college readiness programs, and providing students with practical skills and experiences that enhance their employability and post-secondary education opportunities.”

The panel has been working on their proposal for about a year. Among their recommendations are:

• Replace the three diploma types with one diploma, with the option to add seals and endorsements.
• Include civic responsibility (ethics); cultural competence; financial literacy education; fine and performing arts; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) credit(s); and writing, including writing skills for real-world scenarios in diploma credit requirements.
• Ensure access to career and technical education (CTE), including internships and work-based learning opportunities for all students across New York state.
• Move to a model that organizes credit requirements, such as including math and science, into a larger category such as STEM.
• Allow more assessment options.
• Create more specific, tailored graduation requirements to address the unique circumstances of certain groups of students, such as non-compulsory age students, newcomer students, refugee students.
• Provide exemptions from diploma assessment requirements for students with significant cognitive disabilities and major life events and extenuating circumstances (e.g., medical conditions, death of a family member, trauma prior to sitting for a required exam).
• Pursue regulatory changes to allow the discretion to confer high school degrees posthumously.
• Require all New York State teacher preparation programs to provide instruction in culturally responsive-sustaining education (CRSE) practices and pedagogy.
• Require that professional development plans include culturally responsive-sustaining education practices and pedagogy.
• Review and revise the New York state learning standards.

The New York State United Teachers union applauded the proposed changes, saying they recognize the uniqueness of every student.

“These proposals would help create young adults who are not just ready for the careers and challenges of today’s dynamic economy but who are lifelong learners and knowledgeable, engaged citizens,” the union said.

The state’s Department of Education and the Board of Regents will use the recommendations to create new guidance about graduation requirements.

Elizabeth Doran covers education, suburban government and development, breaking news and more. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact her anytime 315-470-3012 or email edoran@syracuse.com