Traditionally, the regents' diploma offered by the state has reflected more rigorous, college-level coursework than the standard high school diploma. The Empire State is also doing away with lower-level competency tests for all students. The new regents' exams will include more writing, analysis, and higher-level math. Students hoping to graduate in 2000 will have to pass an English test. Math exams will be required in future years.
Some experts say the revisions promise to push all New York students to higher performance levels.
John H. Bishop, a researcher at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., made some interesting discoveries in a study of 10 districts that require all students to earn the regents' diploma. There was a major shift in focus from honors kids. It meant a lot more attention and resources were spent on average students. But some districts in New York state and elsewhere worry that their current efforts will be complicated and even watered down by statewide policies. Michael V. McGill, the superintendent of the 4,200-student Scarsdale, N.Y., schools, says his suburban district will lose flexibility and rigor if it is forced to spend too much time preparing for one state assessment.