In a year fraught with learning disruptions, the Board of Regents today approved a special appeal process to allow students to graduate with a lower score on Regents exams. The reprieve would apply to students who pass the Regents course and score a 50–64 on a Regents exam in the 2021–22 and 2022–23 school years.
Under the plan, superintendents will be allowed to consider recommendations of a local school standing committee, a recommendation from the student's teacher, or other evidence showing the student's achievement. Appeals could be applied toward a local, Regents, or Regents with an Advanced Designation diploma. Parents or guardians have the right to refuse the appeal.
SED noted that as always, the inclusion of Regents Exam scores in the calculation of final course grades is neither required nor recommended.
NYSUT urged the State Education Department and Regents Board to extend the safety net for graduation requirements. In a letter to the commissioner and Regents, NYSUT Executive Vice President Jolene T. DiBrango noted schools have been dealing with multiple interruptions due to COVID-19, absences, severe shortages and transportation challenges.
In 2020, the Regents exams were canceled entirely after school buildings shut down statewide due to the pandemic. In 2021, SED canceled most Regents exams, except four that were federally required. Exams were administered to a small number of students, but a passing score was not required to pass the course for graduation.
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