Senate Bill S2229

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S2229

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the education law, in relation to
regents competency examinations

 PURPOSE :

This bill relates to student eligibility for a high school diploma
upon passing either a regents competency test or regents examination
in certain subjects.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1. The Education Law is amended by adding a new section 319 to
provide that:

A student first entering grade nine on or after the two thousand
thirteen - two thousand fourteen school year shall be eligible to
receive a high school diploma upon completing the requisite number of
credits as determined by the commissioner and by passing either a
regents competency test or regents examination in English,
mathematics, United States history and government, science and global
history and geography.

 JUSTIFICATION :

              

Historically, Regents Examinations were for students who planned to
attend four-year colleges. Those students who did elect this
pre-college curriculum were able to obtain a Regents diploma, while
other students were given the option of a "school" or "local" diploma.

Whether the student plans to pursue the military, trade school or
labor union apprenticeships a high school diploma is a necessary
requirement and should be attainable.

The Board of Regents has sought to increase standards, but
unfortunately its new model severely limits those students wishing to
pursue alternative career paths beyond their high school years. In
fact, by the year 2022, students will not only have to pass five
Regents Exams to graduate, they'll have to score at least 75 percent
on the English exam and 80 percent on the math exam. Competent
students who cannot meet this criterion should have a path to a high
school diploma, which is essential for any future career options, and
be given the opportunity to walk across the stage with their
classmates on graduation day.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

This is a new bill.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None noted.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act would take effect immediately.