NYSED Advances Next Phase of NY Inspires Education Transformation

The New York State Education Department today announced that the Board of Regents has authorized the Department to move forward with the next phase of NY Inspires, advancing plans to establish a single New York State high school diploma, sunset separate diploma assessment requirements, and refocus Regents examinations on measuring student achievement of State learning standards.

The action marks a significant step forward in New York's multi-year transformation of graduation measures, developed following extensive statewide stakeholder engagement and the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures.

Under the implementation plan, beginning with students graduating in 2028, New York will transition to one State high school diploma, and students will no longer be required to pass a prescribed set of Regents examinations to graduate. Regents examinations will continue as rigorous statewide measures of student achievement. The Department will advance proposed regulatory amendments to the Board of Regents by February 2027 to implement the changes in the 2027-2028 school year.

Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said, "Every student in New York deserves access to rich, high-quality 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:

1. Adoption of the New York State Portrait of a Graduate;
2. Redefining credits and learning experiences;
3. Sunsetting separate diploma assessment requirements; and
4. 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 the Board's authorization to advance the remaining transformations, the Department will now continue the policy, regulatory, guidance, and implementation work necessary to begin in the 2027-28 school year.

Regents Exams Will Continue, With a More Focused Purpose

As NY Inspires moves forward, Regents examinations will not be eliminated. Instead, their role will become more focused.

Regents exams were designed to measure student achievement of specific State learning standards. Under the new framework, they will continue to serve as rigorous measures of academic achievement but will no longer be a separate diploma requirement, beginning with students graduating in 2028.

Consistent with New York's Educational Assessment Strategy, districts and schools will develop local assessment strategies that draw on multiple sources of evidence, including classroom assessments, student work, performance-based learning experiences, educator observations, and State assessments.

The Department has released initial guidance, a template, and a webinar to support districts in beginning this work and will continue to provide comprehensive resources as this transformation continues.

Modernizing Statewide Accountability

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 will move forward with the development of high school accountability assessments specifically 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 will come before the Board of Regents later this fall.

One New York State Diploma

NY Inspires will transition New York from the current local, Regents, and Regents with Advanced Designation diplomas to one New York State high school diploma. Students will continue to have opportunities to distinguish their accomplishments through State and locally developed seals and endorsements. The current Advanced Designation will transition to a seal or endorsement, preserving opportunities to recognize additional academic achievement.

The Department will continue partnering with educators, students, families, school leaders, higher education, employers, and other stakeholders to seek feedback as it develops the regulations, guidance, and supports necessary to implement these changes.

For more information on this transformation, please visit the New York Inspires website.