Why must all students pass Regents exams to graduate?
More than a decade ago the public demanded a change in New York’s education system – a system that offered two tracks leading to a high school diploma: one challenging; the other, not at all. That demand came from parents; it came from higher education; and it came from the business community. Employers said that too many graduates failed interviews – or worse, failed on the job – because they didn’t know basic math, writing, and grammar. They couldn’t solve problems. Higher education protested that too many students were unprepared for college work. The two-track system meant different standards for different children. For some it meant a good education. For too many others, it meant an 8th grade education disguised by a high school diploma. So the Regents responded by adopting high standards for all. These standards require all students to prove their mastery of math, science, English, and history by passing Regents exams in all of those subjects. Additionally, Regents policy require
