Thursday, April 9, 2020—The State Education Department announced the cancellation of the June 2020 administration of Regents Exams and released guidance on modifications to requirements for students to graduate and earn their high school diplomas, credentials, and endorsements.
Regents Exams and Diploma Requirements
The COVID-19 emergency has evolved rapidly, leading to uncertainty as to when regular in-school classroom instruction will be able to resume throughout the state and whether students will be adequately prepared to take the Regents examinations. As a result, the Board of Regents and Department have cancelled the June 2020 administration of the NYS High School Regents Examination Program.
Because of this, the Department has modified the requirements that students must meet in order to earn high school diplomas, credentials, and endorsements. These modifications apply to all students enrolled in grades 7-12 during the 2019-20 school year who were intending to participate in one or more of the June 2020 Regents Examinations.
Students who, during the June 2020 examination period would have taken one or more Regents examinations, will be exempted from passing the assessments in order to be issued a diploma. To qualify for the exemption, students must meet one of the following eligibility requirements:
- The student is currently enrolled in a course of study culminating in a Regents examination and will have earned credit in such course of study by the end of the 2019-20 school year; or
- The student is in grade 7, is enrolled in a course of study culminating in a Regents examination and will have passed such course of study by the end of the 2019-20 school year; or
- The student is currently enrolled in a course of study culminating in a Regents examination and has failed to earn credit by the end of the school year. Such student returns for summer instruction to make up the failed course and earn the course credit and is subsequently granted diploma credit in August 2020; or
- The student was previously enrolled in the course of study leading to an applicable Regents examination, has achieved course credit, and has not yet passed the associated Regents examination but intended to take the test in June 2020 to achieve a passing score.
Answers to your Regents Exams Questions
Q: Am I going to take any Regents exams this June?
A: No, the Regents exams have been cancelled for June 2020.
Q: I am taking a Regents bound class, will I be exempt from the Regents exam?
A: Yes, you will be exempt from taking the Regents exam, as long as you pass (or have passed) the course.
Q: I am taking a Regents bound class, will this exemption replace one of my graduation requirements?
A: Yes, every regents bound class you are taking, and pass, will fulfill the graduation requirement for that Regents exam.
Q: I was thinking of making up/retaking my Regents exams from previous years' classes. Will that exam also be a part of this exemption?
A: Yes, those tests will also be exempted, as long as you passed the class.
Q: Will these exemptions come automatically? Do I have to take any action?
A: Currently, the belief is that the Guidance Dept. and Administration will handle this. We will notify you if we need further action from you.
Q: What will happen if I do not pass the Regents bound class this year?
A: You will need to take a summer school class and pass the requirement in order to be exempt from the Regents requirement. If you do not pass the class by August, you will not be exempted from taking the Regents exam.
Q: Do I need to complete 1200 minutes lab requirements for science courses?
A: No, they are also waived for the current science courses you are taking.
Q: If I did not complete my lab hours in the previous years, am I now eligible for the exemption?
A: No, if you are not currently enrolled in a science course with a lab, this exemption will not be applicable for you.
If you have additional questions, you can reach out to the following contacts
Ms. Pamela Smith, High School Dean,
Mrs. Cathy Bartelli, School Counselor,
Mr. Michael Oz, College Counselor,
Ms. Connie Wheeler, Guidance Administrative Assistant,
