Students in New York will no longer be required to pass a set of Regents exams to earn a high school diploma - starting with the class of 2028.
The New York State Education Department announced Monday that it is moving ahead with plans to create a single New York state high school diploma.
Under the new framework, Regents exams will continue to be administered as rigorous measures of student achievement but passing them will no longer be needed for graduation.
The change is part of the NY Inspires initiative, launched in 2024 to overhaul graduation requirements and expand the ways students can succeed.
"By maintaining rigorous standards while giving students more opportunities to apply their knowledge, think critically, solve problems, and demonstrate what they know and can do, we are better preparing them for college, careers, civic life, and the future," said Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said in a statement.
All graduates will earn the same New York state diploma starting in 2028.