New York (WRGB) — New York is moving toward a single high school diploma and a major shift in how students prove they are ready to graduate, a change that will begin with the class of 2028 and reshape the role of Regents exams statewide.
The New York State Education Department said the Board of Regents has authorized the department to move forward with the next phase of NY Inspires, a multi-year effort to transform graduation measures. The plan calls for establishing one New York State high school diploma, sunsetting separate diploma assessment requirements and refocusing Regents examinations on measuring student achievement of state learning standards.
The changes follow extensive statewide stakeholder engagement and recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures.
Under the implementation plan, beginning with students graduating in 2028, students will no longer be required to pass a prescribed set of Regents examinations to graduate. Regents exams will continue, but their purpose will be more focused as statewide measures of academic achievement rather than a standalone diploma requirement.
Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said,
Every student in New York deserves access to rich, highquality learning experiences and meaningful opportunities to demonstrate what they know and can do. Advancing this work moves us closer to a more equitable system, one that upholds high expectations for all while ensuring that a student’s zip code, background, or circumstance never determines their opportunities for success.
Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said,
NY Inspires is fundamentally about strengthening teaching and learning and creating deeper, more meaningful educational experiences for every student. By maintaining rigorous standards while giving students more opportunities to apply their knowledge, think critically, solve problems, and demonstrate what they know and can do, we are better preparing them for college, careers, civic life, and the future. These transformations will give educators greater opportunities to engage students in high-quality learning while providing a more complete picture of student growth and achievement.
NY Inspires was announced in November 2024 and includes four major transformations:
- Adoption of the New York State Portrait of a Graduate
- Redefining credits and learning experiences
- Sunsetting separate diploma assessment requirements
- Moving to one New York State high school diploma
The Board of Regents adopted the New York State Portrait of a Graduate in July 2025. With authorization to advance the remaining transformations, the department will continue policy, regulatory, guidance and implementation work aimed at launching the changes in the 2027-28 school year. The department plans to advance proposed regulatory amendments to the Board of Regents by February 2027 to implement the changes.
As part of the shift, districts and schools will develop local assessment strategies drawing on multiple sources of evidence, including classroom assessments, student work, performance-based learning experiences, educator observations and state assessments. The department said it has released initial guidance, a template and a webinar to support districts and will continue providing resources.
The state is also planning changes tied to accountability requirements. Federal law requires statewide high school assessments in English language arts, mathematics and science, and New York’s federal accountability plan also includes social studies. The department said it will move forward with developing high school accountability assessments designed to provide comparable statewide evidence of student achievement and create opportunities to better measure academic growth. Additional changes related to New York’s federal ESSA plan and secondary accountability system are expected to go before the Board of Regents later this fall.
The move to one diploma will transition New York from the current local, Regents and Regents with Advanced Designation diplomas to a single New York State high school diploma. Students will still be able to distinguish their accomplishments through state and locally developed seals and endorsements, and the current Advanced Designation will transition to a seal or endorsement.
The department said it will continue partnering with educators, students, families, school leaders, higher education, employers and other stakeholders for feedback as it develops regulations, guidance and supports to implement the changes.
