Local Official Urges For Cancellation of NYS Regents Exams

SAYVILLE, NY — A local politician is calling upon New York State to cancel mandatory exams for high school students.

State Senator Alexis Weik (R-C, Sayville) announced on Wednesday that she, among other Senate colleagues, are urging the state to call off Regents exams scheduled for June and August.

In a letter to state Education Commissioner Betty Rosa and the Chancellor of the education policy-setting Board of Regents Lester W. Young Jr., Senator Weik stated that students are not prepared for the exams, due to ongoing challenges related to COVID-19.

“Remote learning, social distancing and other precautionary measures have all posed special
challenges for student learning, and with regard to their ability to meet stringent testing and other requirements necessary to achieve a Regents diploma,” the Senators wrote.

Regents exams were first called off in June 2020, following mass shutdowns of schools across the state. They were also cancelled in August, and again in January 2021.

Exams resumed last June but were limited to minimum federal testing requirements in English, algebra and basic science, a Newsday report said.

This year, the Education Department has scheduled a total of 10 Regents exams between June 1 and June 24, and nine additional tests on August 16 and 17.

In order for students to graduate, they need to achieve a satisfactory score on a set number of Regents exams.

“The increased stress that Covid placed on students, mounted on top of the challenge of preparing for these make-or-break exams has proven in some cases too heavy a burden for even the most accomplished students," Senator Weik wrote. "Suspending the Regents exams at this time is the right decision for students’ academic success, health and well-being.”

The press release stated that 18 members of the Senate’s Republican Conference also signed the letter.

Local Official Urges For Cancellation of NYS Regents Exams originally appeared on the Sayville-Bayport Patch