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State expected to raise the bar on Regents Exams

Posted: June 5, 2005

The state is likely to require that students entering ninth grade next fall must score at least 65 on two of the five Regents Exams required for graduation. (As this special section of New York Teacher went to press, the state Board of Regents was expected to approve the change on June 21. Check www.nysut.org for updates.)

A Regents committee unanimously recommended May 16 that the full board, which sets education policy in the state, approve the plan to phase in higher passing grades on the five required Regents Exams over the next four school years.

Under this phase-in plan, students entering ninth grade in the 2005-06 school year would have to score 65 or higher on any two of the five Regents Exams that are required for graduation, and at least 55 on the remaining three.

In each subsequent school year, students entering ninth grade would have to score at least 65 on one additional exam until September 2008, when the newest class of incoming ninth-graders would have to score 65 or higher on all five required Regents Exams.

And what happens to students who can't muster at least a 65 on their Regents Exams?

Recognizing that students in some districts may not have access to up-to-date books, labs and other critical classroom resources they need to succeed, the Regents have sketched out details of an appeals process for students who pass their courses with a 65 and are within three points of passing an exam after taking it twice.

As it stands, failing students would have to:

• demonstrate that they have taken advantage of all academic help provided by their school;
• have an attendance rate of 95 percent or higher; and
• be recommended for an exemption by their teacher or department chair.

A committee of teachers and administrators would rule on all appeals for students who qualify.

Students with disabilities

The upcoming changes in graduation requirements do not affect students with disabilities. Under a "safety net" approved by Regents in 2003, those classified with disabilities who enter grade 9 before September 2010 will still be able to earn a local diploma by scoring between 55 and 64 on the required Regents Exams or by taking and passing Regents Competency Tests.

The safety net is also available to students identified by the Section 504 multi-disciplinary team if recommended on the student's accommodation plan.

Regents extended the safety net two years ago while seeking ways to improve the performance of students with disabilities, particularly in the Big Five districts, where special ed students are disproportionately placed in separate settings.