New York to Remove Regents Exams for Graduation

The state will transition to a single diploma system starting with the class of 2028 to emphasize real-world skills.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Secondary Education

Isometric editorial illustration showing a graduation cap on a stack of project portfolios, representing New York's new educational assessment policy. — New York will phase out mandatory Regents exams by 2028, adopting a new diploma system that prioritizes project-based learning and practical skill application. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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New York will remove Regents exams as a high school graduation requirement beginning with the class of 2028. The state intends to transition to a single diploma system during the 2027-28 school year.

Why it matters

The change aims to shift the focus of high school requirements toward critical thinking, problem-solving, and practical skills. Officials noted that the existing exams were designed to measure subject achievement rather than overall graduation readiness.

The policy change affects the class of 2028 and beyond. While Regents exams will continue as state-administered tests, the graduation mandate will be replaced by a single diploma system.

The details

Under the new system, schools will evaluate student performance through a combination of coursework, projects, classroom tests, and teacher observations. This move aligns with the NY Inspires initiative, which prioritizes the application of knowledge over standardized exam performance.

The new single diploma system begins in the 2027-28 school year.
The class of 2028 is the first cohort exempt from Regents graduation requirements.

Culture Shift

This decision reflects a broader move away from high-stakes standardized testing toward competency-based assessment models. It signals a shift in secondary education priorities, favoring long-term skill acquisition over rote subject measurement.

High school students graduating in 2028 or later will no longer face Regents exam graduation requirements, changing how they prepare for their final years. Families should note that while requirements are changing, students in the current senior class must still satisfy existing mandates.

The takeaway

The move to a single diploma system encourages students to focus on project-based learning and critical thinking. Educators and parents should prepare for a classroom environment where continuous assessment plays a larger role in final graduation outcomes.