A New Era in Graduation Requirements
New York State is making a major shift in high school graduation requirements, moving away from the long-standing Regents exams. The intent of these shifts, according to the New York State Blue Ribbon Commission, is to ”to create equity in New York State public education” and “ensure New York’s students gain the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in future endeavors.” In lieu of Regents exams being the sole criteria for graduation, the state is promoting multiple pathways for graduation, assessment flexibility, culturally responsive curriculum and other forms of ‘life-ready’ credentials,” as early as 2027. This transition is an opportunity to reimagine success beyond standardized testing, and an approach to instruction that ensures greater engagement, challenge and sense of belonging for all students.
An Innovative, Student-Centered Approach
NYC Outward Bound Schools is well-positioned for this shift. Our approach to equitable, joyful and immersive learning already prioritizes the relevant, student-centered and deeper learning that the NYS shifts will demand of schools. Key elements of our approach include:
- Instruction for Deeper Learning Pathway: Students engage in meaningful challenges that integrate social, emotional, and academic growth. Performance-based tasks—such as capstone projects and internships—develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Crew Pathway: This structured space allows students to set goals, reflect, and collaborate, building social, emotional, and academic skills. More than a program, Crew is a mindset that reinforces the idea of “Crew, not passengers,” ensuring that students feel supported and engaged.
Championing Equity and Authentic Learning
We have learned important equity lessons from schools that graduate their students with Regents exams while also preparing them to create high quality work on authentic, standards aligned projects. If not applied with attention to unconscious bias, the notion of multiple pathways for graduation has the potential to restrict access, where only student groups deemed unable to demonstrate their learning on tests will be asked to complete projects while all others will continue taking the Regents exams. This cannot happen.
Students with disabilities and multilingual learners are often cited as needing an ‘alternative’ to Regents exams, reinforcing inequity. True reform requires not just new assessments but a shift in teaching to create a more inclusive student experience.
Preparing Students to Thrive in Community, College, and Career
Study after study report that students are bored and disengaged in school, unclear about how to approach their futures particularly following the COVID-19 shutdowns. This is an opportunity to address those concerns. If we believe that students should be able to represent their learning through open-ended tasks with real world connections, we need to teach rich and relevant concepts with depth, an approach that is often not the norm when teachers align their curriculum with high stakes exams.
If we acknowledge that the bar set by the Regents is lower than what we hope students can achieve, and that challenging instruction includes teaching students to develop their own questions, conduct research, represent evidence, learn from the field, and present their learning in multiple formats, change is necessary. All students benefit from teaching and learning in this way. In effect, it would mean the difference between young people thriving rather than just surviving in schools.
Moving Beyond High-Stakes Testing
As we rethink graduation requirements, we must also consider the essential skills students need to succeed beyond high school. In an ever-changing world, young people must be able to think critically, adapt to new challenges, and collaborate effectively.
By fostering these skills—along with strong academic foundations and social-emotional development—we prepare students not just for exams, but for lifelong learning, leadership, and success in an unpredictable job market. Elevating our vision for all students allows us to truly fulfill the promise of the Blue Ribbon Commission.
As New York redefines graduation, NYC Outward Bound Schools remain committed to joyful, equitable and immersive learning. By emphasizing real-world learning, performance-based assessment, and strong school communities, we ensure students not only meet the new requirements but also graduate prepared to thrive in college, careers, and civic life. We will continue advocating for deeper learning, student-centered instruction, and meaningful assessments within vibrant and rich school communities that truly support students to reach their full potential.
To learn more about partnership, contact Aurora Kushner (Vice President, School Programming and Impact) at [email protected].