In the hopes of both improving graduation rates, the New York State Board of Regents last week approved a plan to add flexibility to its graduation requirements.
On Monday, Oct. 20, the Board of Regents agreed to create a 4+1 pathway option, which would allow students to opt out of one of the social studies exams currently required for graduation. Instead, they could take a “comparatively rigorous” assessment in career/technical education (CTE), science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), the humanities, foreign languages or the arts.
“These new pathways to graduation will give students confidence, competence, and a real choice,” said Regents Chancellor Merryl H. Tisch in a statement issued by the New York State Department of Education. “All students deserve an education that prepares them for success in college, careers, and life. Today’s action by the Board of Regents will encourage students to pursue CTE programs that can give them the skills and knowledge they need in our changing economy. They will also encourage school districts to expand and invest in high-quality programs in career and technical education, the arts, STEM, humanities, and languages other than English, while ensuring that students are still held to challenging, rigorous standards.”
The Regents hope that these changes will help to boost New York’s state graduation rate of 74.9 percent, as well as the percentage of students who graduate prepared for college and careers, which stands at 37.2 percent. According to a report cited by the SED, New York is in danger of not producing enough graduates who are adequately trained for jobs expected to be available by 2018.
Currently, students must pass one Regents exam each in math, English language arts (ELA) and science, as well as two in social studies (one in U.S. history and government and one in geography), to earn a Regents diploma. The new option would allow students to take a new course of study under which they would only have to pass a Regents in either social studies option. They could then replace that other Regents exam with one of the following:
One additional social studies Regents exam or department-approved alternative (Humanities Pathway).
One additional Regents exam in a different course in mathematics or science or a department-approved alternative (STEM Pathway).
A pathway assessment in a Language Other Than English (LOTE) approved by the commissioner of education (which could include a Biliteracy Pathway).
A career and technical education pathway assessment approved by the commissioner, following successful completion of an approved CTE program (CTE Pathway). A CTE assessment that meets the approved alternative requirements for science can also be substituted for the required science Regents exam.
An arts pathway assessment approved by the commissioner of education (Arts Pathway)
All assessments must be approved by the commissioner of education to ensure they are of sufficient rigor and reliability.
Students would still have to meet existing graduation requirements in terms of courses and number of credits to obtain a Regents diploma. The new regulations also establish a two-year global history and geography course requirement and modify the design of the global history and geography Regents exam.
State Education Commissioner John B. King expressed his support for the new pathways option.
“These new regulations preserve the rigor of New York’s graduation requirements while at the same time offering students comparably rigorous options that keep them engaged in school and learning,” King said. “More options today mean more career opportunities later. That’s how you prepare students to compete in the new global economy.”
The plan also has the support of local educators.
“In the very short term, it helps a limited number of kids,” said Jeff Craig, assistant superintendent of instructional and student support for Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES. “But in the long run, it means that students will have more voice and choice in terms of their education. It creates less of a one-size-fits-all structure or means of success in high school, a different path to readiness for college and career.”
In addition, Craig suggested that creating these pathways may attract more students to nontraditional options like CTE.
“It may mean more students take advantage of the opportunities we offer,” he said. “Options are always a good thing. This brings more attention to options other than the traditional path.”
Certainly, the 4+1 option will help students to graduate more prepared for college and career.
“In CTE, there’s an interest in industry-based exams. For example, a CPA has to pass a test to be certified. Lawyers have to pass the bar exam. There are also some similar examinations for other professions,” Craig said. “If those exams are now offered inside the program, and students can take them when they’re graduating, they’re ready to go. It provides them with yet another leg up. They’ll be more employable by having done well on the assessment.”
In all, Craig said the pathways option will help students be more engaged in what they’re learning and thus more likely to graduate and go on to productive careers.
“When we find meaning in what we’re doing, we tend to be better at it,” he said. “When kids are able to have some level of choice, chances are they’re going to be more engaged and they’re going to do better. It’s a win-win-win.
The Board of Regents was expected to adopt the changes at their January meeting.
