New York Voted to End Regents Graduation Requirement
Starting in 2028, New York students will no longer need to pass Regents exams to earn a high school diploma.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Secondary Education
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The New York State Board of Regents voted on September 14 to eliminate the Regents exam as a high school graduation requirement. The policy change will take effect in 2028 for public school students across the state.
Why it matters
The change follows years of debate regarding history proficiency, with national studies showing significant knowledge gaps among students. By removing this barrier, the state is shifting its approach to high school exit criteria for all New York families.
In 2024, 78 percent of New York public school students passed the U.S. History and Government Regents exam, which currently consists of 28 multiple-choice questions and three essay prompts. The requirement will officially phase out by the 2028 academic year.
The players
New York State Board of Regents
The governing body responsible for setting educational policies and standards for all public and private schools in the state.
New York State Department of Education
The administrative agency that oversees the state school system and provided the recommendation leading to this vote.
Cato Institute
A Washington, D.C.-based public policy research organization that recently surveyed U.S. history knowledge.
St. Saviour High School
A Brooklyn secondary school noted for its consistent 100 percent student pass rate on the history Regents exam.
The details
The decision was made following a recommendation from the New York State Department of Education. Currently, students typically complete the U.S. History and Government exam at the end of their junior year. While schools like St. Saviour High School have reported a 100 percent pass rate, the new policy removes the state-mandated test as the final hurdle for graduation.
Timeline
2014: National Assessment of Educational Progress history report released.
2024: New York state Regents history exam pass rate reached 78 percent.
September 14: Board of Regents voted to eliminate the requirement.
2028: Regents exam graduation requirement officially ends.
The Home Front
This policy change shifts the focus of New York graduation requirements away from the long-standing model of standardized state examinations. It marks a transition in secondary education policy that could influence future curriculum and testing standards across the state.
Families with students currently in middle or high school should monitor local school district communications for updates on new graduation criteria. Parents can review their student's progress and discuss with counselors how these upcoming 2028 changes might affect individual academic plans.
The takeaway
The end of the Regents requirement signals a major change in how New York measures student success. Parents should verify their student's current transcript status and keep in touch with guidance counselors regarding graduation expectations through 2028.
Further reading
For more information on state learning standards, visit Secondary Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Tablet.
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