Following last year's new grade 3-8 ELA and math tests based on Common Core, the state begins the transition on high school tests this year:
- Common Core Algebra 1 will be first administered in June 2014, typically to grade 9 or accelerated grade 8 students. For June 2014 and August 2014 only - at local discretion - students may take both the Common Core Algebra 1 and traditional Integrated Algebra Regents Exams. The higher of the two scores may be used for local transcript purposes and school accountability;
- Common Core Geometry will be administered for the first time June 2015;
- The first administration of Common Core Algebra II will be June 2016;
- Last administration of traditional Integrated Algebra, Geometry and Algebra2/Trig will be January 2015, January 2016 and January 2017, respectively.
- Common Core ELA Regents Exam will be first administered June 2014. The exam, given at the end of grade 11, will have no listening passages. Instead, it is likely to have close reading passages, heavy on informational texts. Students entering grade 9 this September must take the Common Core ELA Regents Exam.
- A proposal for a five-page Regents Research paper is under consideration as a new graduation requirement.