New York Graduation Requirements to Change by 2028

Students graduating in 2028 and beyond will move to a new diploma system focusing on classroom work instead of Regents exams.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Secondary Education

Gouache-painted illustration of a graduation cap on wooden building blocks, representing a shift toward project-based assessment in New York schools. — New York State will phase out mandatory Regents exams by 2028, adopting a new diploma system centered on classroom coursework and student projects. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Is moving away from standardized testing as a graduation requirement better for high school students?

New York State is shifting to a single high school diploma system starting with the graduating class of 2028. This change removes Regents exams as a mandatory requirement for graduation, moving instead toward a model focused on coursework, projects, and teacher observation.

Why it matters

The shift aims to better measure graduation readiness rather than subject-specific achievement by prioritizing critical thinking and real-world skills. While the exams will remain as state-administered tests, the new diploma system replaces the previous multiple-diploma framework to standardize outcomes across the state.

This policy change impacts the graduating class of 2028 and moves away from the prior multi-diploma system. Regents exams will continue to exist as state-administered tests to comply with federal requirements for English, math, science, and state-mandated social studies.

The players

New York State Education Department

The state authority overseeing public secondary education and graduation standards.

The details

Under the new system, schools will evaluate student performance through a mix of coursework, classroom tests, and projects. Teachers will also play a larger role in assessing student readiness through direct observation. This model aligns with the NY Inspires initiative, which is designed to help students build practical, real-world competencies throughout their secondary education.

The new single diploma system begins during the 2027-28 school year.
The class of 2028 is the first group exempt from Regents graduation requirements.

The Home Front

This policy marks a departure from traditional standardized testing models that have long defined New York's secondary education requirements. By prioritizing coursework and projects, the state is shifting its graduation strategy toward a competency-based model under the NY Inspires initiative.

Families with students currently in high school should note that these changes do not apply to current seniors who must still satisfy existing Regents requirements. Parents can review the upcoming curriculum adjustments with school guidance counselors to understand how classroom assessments will now count toward graduation.

The takeaway

The move toward a single diploma system represents a significant shift for families planning for graduation readiness in New York. Parents should focus on supporting their children's performance in day-to-day coursework and projects as these elements become the primary metrics for graduation.