BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) – Imagine if your child no longer had to take a New York State Regents exam to graduate from a public high school.

It could become a reality in the coming years. On Monday, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) began nearing the end of regents required for high school graduation.

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The state Board of Regents met to hear a presentation on how these tests will be phased out, and NYSED unveiled its NY Inspires plan, which would see the end of Regents exams as a graduation requirement.

“To move to a New York State high school diploma for all students,” one presenter said.

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New York is only one of eight states that requires the exams to receive a state diploma.

State education leaders presented a timeline and implementation plan they said would provide greater equity in education.

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The changes would begin in 2027. So if your child enters high school in the fall of ’27, they would no longer need to pass a regen to graduate.

“This requirement to pass the assessment requirements goes into effect in the fall of 2027, not for one cohort, but for all students,” a presentation explained.

State education leaders say this school year is already being used as a planning year.

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“The reason for the years of planning is after today’s presentation let’s take a deep breath and consume it first – feel it and know we’re moving in that direction,” noted Dr. Betty Rosa, Commissioner, NYSED.

But without regents, students will have to demonstrate proficiency to graduate.

Some members of the Board of Regents are worried about how to personalize education for tens of thousands of children.

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“But the fact that the student in North Fork is getting the same education as the student in Beamus Point — in the eight-and-a-half hour drive between them — that concerns me,” noted Regent Member Patrick Mannion.

“I think it will be a game changer for students and a big step in the right direction,” commented Michelle Licht.

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I spoke with teacher Michelle Licht from the Williamsville School District. She is also a board member of the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT). She says her union has been very involved in the conversations to end the Regents exams and that they support her.

“This will allow teachers and students to focus on what’s really important, as opposed to preparing for a test that may not match the actual standards they’re trying to address in that class,” said Licht .

“Michelle, what do you say to those who say this might be stupid?” Buckley asked.

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“We can keep the standards high and not rely on a regents exam. We can maintain our high graduation requirements and our high expectations for students without requiring paper/pencil — often multiple-choice testing — for students to demonstrate their ability to meet those requirements,” Licht responded.

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“They are trying to create equity in education. Do you think this will work correctly by completing these tests? Buckley asked. “It’s a big step toward equity, especially for our students who are in career and technical education programs where they haven’t had the same opportunity to demonstrate all the knowledge they get in those courses on our traditional exams,” he said. Licht replied. “Project-based learners should be able to demonstrate their learning through projects.

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Students who learn best through conversations should be able to give a presentation about what they have learned. Not all students are great test takers. It doesn’t mean he didn’t learn what they need to move on from high school.”

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The Board of Regents must approve the stages. I spoke with Erie County Regent Representative Catherine Collins, who is on medical leave, and she told me she is against ending regent degrees, fearing that students will not be prepared.