State education officials have canceled the January Regents exams due to the coronavirus, officials said Thursday.
“We determined the January Regents Exams could not be safely, equitably and fairly administered across the State given where the pandemic currently stands,” said Interim Commissioner Betty Rosa in a statement.
Officials said they will modify graduation requirements to account for the missing metric.
“No decisions have been made regarding the June and August 2021 administrations of Regents Examinations or any of the other State assessment programs,” the department said in a statement.
In prior years, kids had to pass five exams in core subjects to walk the stage.
After last year’s Regents were canceled due to the coronavirus, the state only required that students pass classes associated with the exams in order to earn a diploma.
State officials said the absence of the proficiency indicator will not harm kids in the long run.
“Whether they are engaged in in-school, hybrid or remote learning, we are committed to ensuring each of New York’s students has access to the rigorous coursework necessary to prepare them for success this year and beyond,” said Board of Regents Vice Chancellor T. Andrew Brown. “The cancellation of the January Regents Examinations will not impact that priority.”
State officials have previously indicated that the Regents format will be overhauled at a later date.
