Regents exams scheduled for January of 2021 have been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns, the state Education Department announced today.
The exams, which normally are held in January, June, and August and are required to be passed to receive a high school diploma in the state of New York, were determined by the department to be unable to carry out safely, according to interim education commissioner Betty Rosa.
“Throughout the pandemic, our priority has been the health and wellbeing of our students and educators,” Rosa said in a statement. “We determined the January Regents Exams could not be safely, equitably, and fairly administered across the State given where the pandemic currently stands. We will continue to monitor applicable data and make a decision on other state assessment programs as the school year progresses, being mindful of the evolving situation.”
Students who were scheduled to take the January exams will not be penalized, the department says. Rather, modified assessment requirements for high school diplomas will be determined at the Board of Regents meeting which is scheduled to take place over the course of Monday, Dec. 14 and Tuesday, Dec. 15.
The modifications will apply to all students completing a secondary-level course of study or a make-up program in January and were scheduled to participate in a January 2021 Regents exam.
“The Board and I are enormously grateful to the dedicated educators, school staff, community members, and parents who are working so diligently to ensure that students are safe and healthy this school year,” said Board of Regents Vice Chancellor T. Andrew Brown. “Whether they are engaged in in-school, hybrid or remote learning, we are committed to ensuring each of New York’s students has access to the rigorous coursework necessary to prepare them for success this year and beyond. The cancellation of the January Regents Examinations will not impact that priority.”
