THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

 

TO:

The Honorable the Members of the Board of Regents

FROM:

James A Kadamus

COMMITTEE:

EMSC-VESID

TITLE OF ITEM:

Schedule for Regents Decision on Raising Graduation Standard on Regents Examinations to 65

DATE OF SUBMISSION:

February 22, 2005

PROPOSED HANDLING:

Discussion

RATIONALE FOR ITEM:

Review of Regents Policy

STRATEGIC GOAL:

Goals 1 and 2

AUTHORIZATION(S):

 

 

SUMMARY:

 

            Under a policy approved by the Board of Regents in October 2003, the 55 low pass as a graduation standard is scheduled to expire with the class entering grade 9 in September 2005.  Over the past few months, the Regents have reviewed data on the performance of the cohort of students who entered grade 9 in September 2000 after four years of high school.   Now it is time for the Regents to consider the timing of the phase-out of the 55 graduation standard and decide on a plan of action to raise the standard to 65.

 

            To facilitate the Regents decision-making, the following schedule and discussion questions are proposed:

 

March 2005:  Initial review of policy questions and confirm schedule for decision; review latest data for school report card; and inform field that policy questions are under discussion.

 

May 2005:      Discuss policy questions and options to raise graduation standard to 65 (see policy questions 1-3 below).

 

June 2005:     Approve policy on graduation standard and discuss how best to support schools and students to meet the graduation standard.

 

 

 

Discussion Questions Relating to Regents Policy on Raising the Graduation Standard

 

Policy 1.         Should the 55 graduation standard be phased-out for all students beginning with the class entering grade 9 in September 2005?

 

Policy 2.         As an alternative to #1, what other options should the Regents consider to phase in the passing score of 65?

 

a.      Using an average of Regents grades across the 5 Regents exams, with the graduation standard being an average of 65 on the 5 exams for a certain period of time.

 

b.   Phasing-in a 65 graduation standard for each Regents exam over a period of time similar to what was done beginning in 1996 to phase out the Regents Competency Tests and require the Regents exams as a graduation standard.

           

c.      Using an appeals process for students who take Regents exams, score within three points of 65 and have a 65 course average.

 

d.      Some combination of a, b and c.

 

Policy 3.         If one or more of the options under #2 is adopted, are there subgroups of students who should continue to be permitted to graduate using the 55 graduation standard?

 

a.      Should students with disabilities who currently use the Regents Competency Tests be also eligible to use the 55 standard for graduation on all exams?

 

b.      Should English language learners who enter New York State schools for the first time in grade 9 be eligible to use the 55 standard for graduation on the Regents English exam?