In a bid to bring greater equity and excellence to the education system, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) presented its vision to implement the recommendations of the NYS Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures. The commission's recommendations are designed to ensure that all New York State public school students receive the necessary educational opportunities and supports to succeed in school and beyond.

Championed by Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr., the NYSED's vision aims to raise the bar for all students by providing meaningful educational opportunities and multiple avenues for them to demonstrate their mastery of the state's rigorous learning standards. The goal is to prepare students for a future of continuous learning, fulfilling careers, and informed civic engagement.

Commissioner Betty A. Rosa emphasized that the transformative vision is the result of extensive collaboration with expert practitioners, public input, and engagement with students and their families. The NYSED is committed to not relenting until the job is done right for all New Yorkers.

The Graduation Measures Initiative, launched by the New York State Board of Regents and Education Department in 2019, seeks to define what a New York State diploma should signify for all students. The initiative, grounded in the Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Framework and the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, aims to create true equity in the state's public education system and ensure that students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for success.

Proposed by the NYSED at the recent Board of Regents meeting, the vision includes transformations in four key areas. Firstly, the New York State Portrait of a Graduate will create a shared understanding of the skills and knowledge that graduates have mastered, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, literacy across content areas, cultural competence, social-emotional competence, effective communication, and global citizenship.

Secondly, the NYSED aims to redefine credits by focusing on proficiency rather than time-based units of study. This will allow students to demonstrate mastery through various pathways, including work- or service-based learning, dual credit programs, earning state seals or credentials, traditional high school courses, Career and Technical Education programs, arts participation, and approved assessments.

The third transformation involves decoupling specific assessment requirements from graduation requirements. This means eliminating the need to pass Regents exams or a +1 Pathway Assessment for high school graduation. Instead, students will be assessed through multiple measures at the local level to track their progress, with state-level assessments required by federal law.

Lastly, the NYSED recommends moving to a single diploma available to all New York State public school graduates. This would eliminate the local diploma, while the "advanced designation" diploma would become a seal or endorsement. Districts would also have the authority to add additional seals and endorsements.

To gather input and feedback from stakeholders, the NYSED will hold a series of Ambassador Forums between July and October 2024. These forums will provide an opportunity for the public to share their thoughts on the proposed transformations. In November 2024, the Department's implementation plan will be presented to the Board of Regents for approval, including projected timelines, affected regulations, and other considerations. Until then, the existing graduation requirements remain in effect for all public school students in New York.

The NYSED's bold plan demonstrates its commitment to ensuring equity and excellence in education for all New York State students. By providing multiple, rigorous pathways to a high school diploma, the department aims to prepare students for success in the 21st century, whether that be in college, careers, service, or citizenry.