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Calculating options for passing grades March 31, 2005 With the passing grade on five required Regents Exams scheduled to rise to 65 this fall, board members signaled their intent to agree by June on a policy to help students who fall a few points short of passing all five exams. Under consideration is a proposal to phase in the 65 passing score over three years, beginning with general education students who enter ninth grade this fall. Those students could continue to earn a local diploma if they score at least 55 on each of the five Regents Exams, score at least 65 on three of the exams and average 65 on all five. General ed students entering grade 9 in 2006-07 would have to score at least 65 on four of the exams and meet the other criteria for a local diploma. Those entering grade 9 in September 2007 would have to score at least 65 on all five Regents Exams to graduate, effectively eliminating the local diploma for general ed students. Although New York State United Teachers supports a phase-in of the 65 goal, Vice President Maria Neira said moving too quickly could mount pressures on those who most need the extra time and help, possibly increasing the dropout rate. Although the number of students scoring between 55 and 64 has decreased, Neira said, most come from poor districts that still lack the resources they need to help them succeed. She noted that NYSUT would discuss phase-in implications with State Ed officials. The plan also proposes that, beginning with students entering ninth grade this fall, an appeals process be established for students with a 65 course average who come within three points of 65 on a Regents Exam. "It's a starting point for discussion," said Regent Anthony Bottar of North Syracuse, who co-authored the proposal with Regent Merryl Tisch of Manhattan . Regardless of the board's ultimate decision, students with disabilities who fail a Regents Exam will retain the option, at least until 2009, to take Regents Competency Tests under a "safety net" Regents agreed to in 2003. |
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