New York to End Regents Exam Graduation Requirement
The Class of 2028 will be the first group of students to graduate without needing to pass state Regents exams.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Secondary Education
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New York State will no longer require students to pass Regents exams to earn a high school diploma, starting with the Class of 2028. This transition is part of a broader plan to consolidate multiple diploma types into a single statewide standard by the 2027-28 school year.
Why it matters
The change reflects a shift in educational philosophy, as state officials look to emphasize critical thinking and real-world skills over the subject-specific achievement measurements of the past. By moving away from exam-based graduation requirements, the state aims to better prepare students for post-secondary readiness.
The new graduation framework begins with the Class of 2028 during the 2027-28 school year. While exams will still be used to track progress against state learning standards, passing them will no longer be a strict requirement for receiving a diploma.
The players
New York State Education Department
The state authority overseeing public instruction and the development of new graduation requirements for high school students.
The details
Under the new policy, schools will shift toward a holistic assessment model that utilizes classroom tests, coursework, student projects, and teacher observations. This move departs from the traditional reliance on high-stakes testing to prove graduation readiness, though state-mandated assessments in English, math, science, and social studies remain in place to satisfy federal and state accountability systems.
Timeline
2027-28 school year: The new graduation system is expected to begin.
Class of 2028: This will be the first group to graduate without the current Regents exam requirement.
The Home Front
This reform represents a departure from traditional state graduation standards that prioritized standardized test scores as the primary indicator of completion. It marks a shift toward a single-diploma system, aligning with current educational trends that emphasize multi-faceted assessment models.
Families with students currently in middle or early high school should keep an eye on upcoming guidance from their local school district regarding how student projects and coursework will be tracked. Parents should prepare for a shift in how student performance is reported, as schools incorporate new assessment methods beginning in 2027.
The takeaway
The move to a single diploma system aims to prioritize real-world problem-solving skills over exam scores. Families should monitor district communications for new criteria, as students in the Class of 2028 will be the first to navigate this updated framework.
Further reading
Families looking for more updates on academic standards can visit the Secondary Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Q105.
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