Graduation Measures
All students deserve to graduate from high school with a meaningful diploma that reflects their readiness for the future. But too many young people — disproportionately Black, Latinx, and Native American students, and students from low-income backgrounds — are graduating without the foundational skills necessary for future success. Thus, students may be required to take remedial coursework upon entering college — classes that often lead to increased debt and lower completion rates.
Graduation measures — the requirements students must meet to graduate from a New York State public high school — must prepare students for success in college and the workforce.
Our Equity-Centered Approach
As the New York State Education Department (NYSED) continues to review and rethink graduation measures through the Blue Ribbon Commission, we champion recommendations and policies that strengthen accountability measures alongside our partners from the New York Equity Coalition.
We support additional flexibility for students to demonstrate proficiency, particularly for students with disabilities and multilingual students. At the same time, we raise the alarm to ensure that school districts that under-educate students of color, particularly Black, Latinx, and Native American students, and those from low-income backgrounds, do not use graduate measures that advance students to higher education and the workforce without preparing them for success.
Latest Resource
Shared Statement on New York State Graduation Requirements
As the New York State Education Department’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures begins to draft recommendations to reconsider the state’s graduation requirements, the New York Equity Coalition released a unified statement raising concerns about a shift from objective measures like the Regents exams to more subjective performance-based learning assessments.
Featured Reports and Resources Over the Years
Statement: Graduation Data for the Class of 2023
Brief: What’s Behind the State’s Improved Graduation Rates?
Statement: Changing High School Graduation Requirements
Opinion: How New York’s Bid to Reduce Graduation Requirements Could Backfire
Data Snapshot
%
of New York State 2021 graduating class students utilized at least one Regents exam exemption to graduate.
%
of eighth graders were proficient in math, yet New York's graduation rate was 87% in 2021-22.
More Resources
Transitioning from EdTrust-New York: a letter from our executive director
“While I have relished the demanding role of leading Ed Trust–NY over the past three years, I am well aware that the battle for genuine educational equity will persist in its difficulty. To secure a promising and prosperous future for all children, we must have our most dedicated advocates at the forefront, operating at their peak. Now, it is time for me to seek respite.”
EdTrust-New York releases statement on graduation rates for Class of 2022
While the increase in graduation rates for the Class of 2022 appears to be good news, we remain concerned about whether it is an accurate reflection of how well students are prepared for the future.
Students Can’t Wait: Equity Priorities for New Yorkers in 2023
During our briefing, we joined with our partners from the New York Equity Coalition and discussed what our most recent research shows about the state of education in NY, what investments Governor Hochul proposed to help children and families, and our policy recommendations for the 2023 legislative session.
State of the State 2023 Priorities
A critical moment: Governor Hochul’s State of the State presents ideas and opportunities to advance educational equity
EdTrust-New York identifies key education equity investments in Gov. Hochul’s 2023 State of the State proposal
Our analysis of Governor Hochul’s 2023 State of the State proposal identified a number of critical investments that will help to support New York’s children and families beginning at birth through college and into the workforce.
EdTrust-New York releases statement on Board of Regents amendment to graduation requirements
“We are deeply concerned by the Board of Regents’ decision today to pass an amendment allowing students scoring as low as 50% on their Regents exams to pass and earn a diploma for the 2022-23 school year.”