Educators, parents, students, employers, and community members have been invited to a series of regional meetings hosted by the New York State Board of Regents, which oversees public education, as part of the board’s new review of high school graduation requirements.
The meeting closest to East Hampton will take place on Wednesday in Holtsville, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Eastern Suffolk Board of Cooperative Educational Services Instructional Support Center, 750 Waverly Avenue. Roger Tilles, Long Island’s representative on the Board of Regents, will preside. Registration has been requested ahead of time by calling 631-687-3006.
“As we begin the process of reviewing what a diploma in New York State should look like, it is imperative that we gather input from as many stakeholders and interested parties as possible and examine what is working in other states,” Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa said in a statement. “I look forward to receiving and considering their valuable input throughout this important and essential conversation. Through these efforts, we will help ensure that every child in New York State has equitable access to a high-quality education.”
Adam Fine, the East Hampton High School principal, who will serve next year as the district’s assistant superintendent, believes that current graduation requirements need updating. The skills that are necessary for success in the workplace have changed, he said this week.
“Academics are important, social and emotional learning is important, career readiness, 21st-century skills like communication and collaboration — they’re trying to figure it out. One of the big things they’re looking at is what they want to do with testing,” Mr. Fine said. “They’re dabbling in different types rather than Regents — they’re looking at portfolios, projects, and work-related internships. I think the one-size-fits-all requirements are not going to be something that works for all kids, and I think the state is recognizing that.” Mr. Fine added, though, that he “would be surprised if they go completely away from Regents testing in some form.”
Several school administrators here are planning to attend the meeting.
Michael Miller, the Bridgehampton School principal, said in an email that he was “intrigued and hopeful to hear any issues schools are seeing . . . with students that we may not be seeing here.”
“It is always great to hear different perspectives of how each district views the graduation requirements and how each feels they should be expanded,” Mr. Miller said. “I foresee myself being more of an observer at this first meeting.”
Currently, New York State requires 22 high school credits to graduate, with specific requirements in English, science, math, and social studies, plus foreign language, the arts, physical education, and health. There are three types of diplomas: a local diploma, which shows a student has met basic requirements; a Regents diploma, which shows a student has passed five state exams (English, science, social studies, and math plus one “pathways” exam in an area such as arts, foreign languages, or career and technical studies), or an advanced Regents diploma, given for achievement on at least seven Regents exams plus one of the pathways.
Mr. Fine likes the different pathways that are available, but “I’d like to see some alternatives for all kids. . . . Also, what are we teaching? How important is curricular academic content knowledge? Is that going to make you successful? I’m very interested to ultimately see what comes out of this.”
At the regional meetings, participants will be asked to consider five questions: “What do we want students to know and to be able to do before they graduate?” “How do we want students to demonstrate such knowledge and skills?” “How do you measure learning and achievement to ensure they are indicators of high school completion?” “How can measures of achievement accurately reflect the skills and knowledge of our special populations, such as students with disabilities and English language learners?” “What course requirements or examinations will ensure that students are prepared for college and careers or civic engagement?”
For those who are unable to attend a meeting in person, the Board of Regents is accepting written submissions that can be sent by email to [email protected]. They can also answer an online survey, for which a link is available at nysed.gov/grad-measures/regional-meetings. The Regents have also invited a social media discussion with a call for comments using the hashtag #NYSGradMeasures.
Ms. Rosa said in a statement that the review effort “is not simply about changing our graduation standards. It’s about providing different avenues — equally rigorous — for kids to demonstrate that they are ready to graduate with a meaningful diploma. It’s about ensuring that what students are learning is relevant to them and useful to society.”