The New York State Education Department (NYSED) recently announced the cancellation of the June and August 2020 Regents exams and released guidance on modifications to requirements for students to graduate and earn their high school diplomas, credentials and endorsements.
These modifications include granting students one-time exemptions from exams previously required for graduation if they met certain requirements. This includes Regents exams, state-approved alternative exams, +1 Pathway exams, as well as requirements needed to complete a Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) Commencement Credential.
To learn more about the graduation modifications, please view our post from April 17 on Regents and graduation requirements.
On May 27, NYSED released additional guidance stating that prior to the conferral of a diploma, a parent/guardian may choose to decline an exemption of an assessment requirement that would allow their child to graduate in June or August 2020.
If an exemption for a student is declined, the decision is irrevocable. Additionally, the student would not be eligible to graduate until they meet all the graduation assessment requirements, including exam requirements that were previously eligible for an exemption and the parent/guardian declined.
Any student, including a student with a disability, who does not earn a Regents or local diploma continues to be eligible for a free, appropriate public education until the end of the school year in which the student turns age 21, or until the receipt of a Regents or local high school diploma.
Any parent/guardian who wishes to decline one or more exam exemptions for their student may do so prior to the conferral of the diploma.