After 150 years the New York Education Department gave an outline of a proposal to the State Board of Regents that is entertaining the notion of dropping the high school Regents exams and replacing it with different alternatives. The reason is that fewer and fewer New York State students are academically eligible to obtain a Regents diploma, according to Newsday.
It seems that in the major New York State cities too many students end up getting a local diploma or a certificate of completion rather than a Regents diploma which hurts their chances of getting into a 4-year college. Too many of the students cannot pass four or five Regents exams to get a Regents diploma.
At one time the New York State Regents was the gold standard of final exams and over the last twenty years the New York State Education Department has dumbed down the exam and added a curve to the gateway Regents of Algebra 1 and Living Environment. Now they are considering eliminate them altogether.
Soon the New York State high school diploma will end up to be a worthless piece of paper.
First they dumbed down regents. Then eliminated 65 as passing. Now, they have 504s to graduate students. They also do CDOS. They then graduate students without having to pass Global & US. They also have special ed appeals. They also have superintendent appeals. AND now they want to eliminate regents? Didn't they already eliminate regents when you only need to score 25 out of 85 points to pass a regents exam?
ReplyDeleteFarina was a dumb ignorant educator and chancellor but when she visited my classroom - I told her she needs to evaluate us on regents proctoring. When I proctor regents 90 percent of my students pass. I am one of the most sought after ATR proctors in the DOE. I am already book to 2022.
If the DOE wants to see 90 to 100 percent passing on regents then the DOE needs to rate us on proctoring. By the way, I overbooked myself again this summer. Need someone to grade for me.
But how will they tell who’s a good teacher if they can’t judge HS teachers on Regent scores?
ReplyDeleteI guess they never thought that passing everyone and differentiating would mean some students couldn’t pass a basic test.
When I took Regents they were real tests and not some fake scaled scored monstrosity; now most of them are a joke.
And, if a student can’t pass 5 regents they shouldn’t be able to graduate.
It is about saving money and saving face.
ReplyDeletesoon? try now
ReplyDeleteThe Regents exams were once intended to demonstrate college readiness, at a time when most students didn't attend college. There were local and vocational diplomas for those students who had no intention
ReplyDeleteBut then we entered the age of Everyone Goes To College (and takes on student loan debt) and the Regents became the only game in town. That, combined with corporate education reform, which saw testing as both a gold mine and a useful weapon against unionized teachers, and it became inevitably corrupted by the contradictions inherent in policy and practice.
The average college graduate now has less general knowledge than high school grads of decades past. That's a feature, not a bug.
I constantly remind myself that this is not a dream; that actual college educated individuals are making these decisions. The New York City Department of Education has truly become a sham. What DeBlasio is trying to do is simply cover the mess. God forbid anyone ever speak the truth about how dysfunctional this system has become under his watch. I also find it equally funny that he is running for President of the United States. I think people are tired of seeing his black militant looking wife; and his kid with the 1970's Afro. Enough said...
ReplyDeleteThe tests were designed at a time when America was over 90% you know what race (that cannot be spoken).
ReplyDeleteThe tests measured the education of kids from a Western cultural background, who went through a system crafted by westerners based on what they thought was important to learn and how to do it.
When you fast forward to modern times, all urban areas in the U.S. are majority POC, and they are not westerners and have their own values and ways of life, and they are very vocal about it, as you ALL know.
At the end of the day, they are not us and we are not them. This is not a value judgment so do not make whiny accusations of racism. They call themselves "sun" people (emotive, passionate, social, etc) and they call us "ice" people (future time-oriented, calculating, exacting). They routinely vilify us as 'privileged, no matter how poor any of us are, and they advocate for policies to replace us and discriminate against us so they can take over more spaces for 'their people.' Many of our young people and female members have been brainwashed into supporting this program, so we are toast in the long run. Such is the turning of history. Again, no value judgment as to what is right or wrong.
The educational standards of one culture are not the same as another. When you replace the people but keep the former peoples' systems in place, there is a mis-match. Why do you think so many POC rail against us, hate on us, call us evil racists and then cry for 'afro-centric' or 'latinx-centric' education? Why do you think they can openly talk bad about us as a people and can literally erase our history or distort it at will to make us seem like the devil incarnate?
I say scrap the regents for majority POC districts and call them culturally irrelevant for them. That is what they say anyway, so let's agree with them. Tell them to come up with 'measures' to test whatever they deem worth studying. Problem solved. Legacy Americans will still be tested by the Regents, as were their ancestors, while the new overlords can do whatever they want in the territories they have occupied and made their own.
11:01
ReplyDeleteI would in theory like to see some of the communities who complain about white teachers and white curriculum, who in a sense want a segregated system that does not include white students and maybe asian students, create their own schools, and staff them completely with "appropriate" staff, and set their own academic goals. It didn't work so well in the late 1960s-1970s. But maybe this would be better now, to end the complaining.
But, it is only a theory. The argument now is to gain control of the specialized schools that already exist, and then probably to push out the staff members. And, system-wide, to push out staff as needed as well. But there are not going to be enough qualified "appropriate" teachers in many areas, especially if we are looking at a national teaching shortage.
In reality I think these recent pushes for change are ideological and short-sighted.
Like a computer virus, the Danielson disaster for instruction is doing its job... destroying public education...After over 100 years of demanding Regents exams to graduate, Danielson has taken only 6 years to ensure that so many kids can't pass a watered down Regents exam that NYSED is actually contemplating scrapping the exams....GOD HELP THIS COUNTRY!
ReplyDelete11:01 There is more to it than your simplified explanation. In the opinion of most, a high school graduate should have the following: (1.) Understanding of the English language (2.) Understanding of basic math concepts. To me if any student hasn't achieved they should in no wat receive a diploma; they haven't really earned it. If your analysis includes that these kids couldn't possibly know what "white people" know, there are places called libraries. Furthermore, I believe that at least 75% of the system needs to be taken over by the state. The other 25% will soon slip away once this liberal mayor and his equally "anti-white" chancellor get their way.
ReplyDeleteThe Regents exams are low level exams to begin with, so I agree for something more rigorous. Most parochial and private schools have their own exit exams because they consider the Regents exams too low level. Many students who do achieve the 75, which is not very hard to get on the ELA Regents seeing you can leave out the last entire part of the ELA Regents and still score over 75, achieved it after retaking the exam multiple times. Is that college ready? Also it's not a fair way to evaluate teachers anyway. A teacher from a school with high functioning students is going to have most students pass the exam while a teacher from a school with low functioning students is going to have fewer students pass. Is that a fair evaluation? Also last time I did scoring for the ELA Regents, there were teachers giving 5's and 6's on the argumentative essays that should have scored 3 and 4 respectively. Also at my old school a student was able to graduate with her highest score on any Regents exam in the forties, so the Regents has run its course and has clearly become meaningless.
ReplyDeleteI always felt the Regents was a means to keep schools/teachers honest. Being a standardized state-wide test, schools could then not employ a "pass everyone" policy because even if frankly failing students were then miraculously passed, their deficiencies would become known by their tell-tale failing Regents scores. With the recent development of libbies dumbing down the vaunted Regents exams, they have lost their standard-setting role. With the demise of the Regents, there will then be nothing as a check against local schools just passing everyone, even if they never even knew the address or name of the school. The state will be able to save a lot of money by not having to print Regents exams and the city will save a lot of money by being able to buy caseloads of Charmin to print the diplomas on instead of the current more costly forms.
ReplyDeleteYears ago, when I graduated HS in NYC, NY had a Regents diploma and a non-Regents diploma. What was wrong with that? So the thought of not having Regents exams is not new.
ReplyDeleteWhy not make the Regents exams meaningful again and go back to a Regents and non Regents diploma?
If the people who make all these decisions just read this blog and the comments, they could resolve the Regents issue quickly and for free! Oh, but then again, that would be too easy.
They need to make it seem as though they actually do something.
@6:26
ReplyDeleteIf you make it a two-tiered system again like it was when we were students, you will have every parent demanding that their child be placed in a Regents class. The overwhelming majority of parents are not going to allow their child to be placed on a track for a non-Regents diploma. It's not going to happen. It would be a logistical nightmare to schedule and in today's age where everyone needs to head on to college - parents are not going to buy into it. Not happening.
1:39
ReplyDeleteNo doubt the Regents Examinations once measured student achievement and prevented schools from passing along students who did not meet the standard.
Doing away with the exams will enable school administrators to pump up the existing scams (credit recovery, etc. etc.) and graduate all sorts of kids.
(I don't think the Regents Exams were ever perceived as a a check (?) on teachers since, traditionally, they are the ones setting and trying to enforce high standards.)
Time to ditch the Regents. It is also time to ditch much of what NY state requires students to pass. Honestly, who needs to know facts about the Songhai Empire and tons of other stupid facts. No wonder the kids are bored to death. When was the last time you had to use the quadratic equation?
ReplyDeleteBring back the hands on shop courses. Bring back the business departments. Bring back the wide range of electives. Let the kids have real choices. The more motivated students can take AP or IB courses. ISS students should be able to earn a local diploma again.
The SATs and ACT exams can sort out which students are really ready for college.
Keep in mind, NY is the only state that offers/demands regents. Regents can't be used to filter out students in 49 states!
ReplyDeleteAnyone with a comment?
@11:54
ReplyDeleteThe majority of the students and parents in my school would think it was great if they did not have to take Regents. Several Regents exams, after the 4 +1, are optional and very few students choose to take them. The classes are all taught with the expectation that the students will take the Regents exams. So we do not have two tracks; the students are all Regents classes. My thought regarding the non-Regents track is that the students are given the choice of a Regents or Competency exam. I can guarantee that 80% of my students would go for the Competency exam.
The caveat would be that the Regents and the competency exams would have to be valid exams and scored without a curve. Return some dignity to the Regents and keep the curve for the competency exam. I know this will never happen.
6:22 PM I agree with you 100%. The only problem I see with that is it is a racial issue when there is a disproportionate % of a race/ethnicity choosing a particular path in middle school or high school. Even if it is chosen by students or their families.
ReplyDelete950 pm...
ReplyDeleteWhat......?
People are overlooking the economics of Regents testing. The Regents exams cost a lot of money to print. Ending the exams leaves a lot of money for hiring more consultants. Plus, there are outside vendors with contracts developing tests. Gone are good old days when teachers and supervisors from all over the state would meet for two weekends to develop test questions for the exams.
ReplyDeleteThe governor is either for or against the plan depending on which way the wind is blowing.
Scrap the Regents, scrap the discipline policy (oh Farina already did that, sorry!), forget the attendance policy (oh, wait NY City did that 30 years ago), forget real grades, PASS them ALL (oh wait we are already doing that). Unless the NY Diploma is from one of the top 15 schools then these diplomas are worth nothing. This is why the mayor and Carmen and now Dick want to get away from having specialized high schools.
ReplyDeleteMy principal had the nerve to ask me to change JR's grade to a passing grade. I told her JR never showed up to class more than 3 times the whole semester. She reminded me that we can't fail students based on attendance and seat time.
I called JR and asked him to come put his name on a paper he turned in way back in May (the 3rd and last time that he showed up to class). I needed some proof he turned something in just in case I ever get indicted. I told JR that he needs to do this to pass my class.
JR said, "Fuck that. I am not coming in. Just put my name on it for me." I told the principal and she put his name on it for him. She also went online printed out 10 other things that she put his name on as well. She said to put them in a folder somewhere in case we are both indicted and criminally charged.
funny story to share, had duhhhshawn in my history class where he would constantly say to me yo! mr. white you dont no nuttin about about us african americans. I was saddened by this and thought I could do better! the next day we had an exam honoring black history month this is a sample of duhhhshawns answers. 1. what is jim crow - duhhhshawn the 1st native nba player.
ReplyDelete2. who freed the slaves - duhhhshawn jessie jackson and his brother tito. 3. what is the underground railroad duhhhshawn when the train goes into the tunnel towards grand central. I still passed him with a 95% but realized he too knows nuttin about african americans
No one has mentioned that getting rid of the Regents creates an unparalleled opportunity for charter schools. Charter schools will tout the expense of a now indefensibly meaningless NYC public school diploma and advertise their’s as meaningful one (albeit the same) at a fraction of the cost. The UFT should be fighting to maintain the Regents. It’s elimination is a harbinger.
ReplyDelete@10:32 It is spelled DeShawn you ignorant idiot. Duhhshawn is the profession you chose which you seem to suck at.
ReplyDeletePlus, DeShawn is going to high school very high next year. His new principal already told us that he will hold his weed for him.
But honestly, how many ineffective ratings have you had? You really seem very bitter and angry. This is very unhealthy.
Come to our next ATR meeting in August. We are holding it on the UWS. Come join us. Maybe we can help you.
@10:30 a.m.
ReplyDeleteShit I thought Jim Crow was the 1st native NBA player? Maybe I was wrong... Swear there was a Crow who played NBA. You seem so smart and you even know your history. Wow, impressive. Maybe you are not a dumb 3rd grade teacher in Riverdale but a dumb history teacher.
Have you figured out which to, too or two to use in a sentence? Clue, number two is spelled two...that one we can eliminate.
@shady I have been trying to reach you by phone the blue sheets that have contacts numbers are useless, all I get is "number disconnected" "number not in service" im not shocked this happens all the time especially in the other sections of the bronx. all duhhhshawn ever says he don't know your number! not surprised by that either. really need to speak with you.
ReplyDelete@4:28 p.m. I am hard to reach. The DOE has me working, lesson planning and grading work. Plus, I change my number on a weekly basis otherwise you'd reach me. I am now considering a charter school for DeShawn. I can't take my colleagues making fun of my DeShawn's name anymore. Maybe he'll do better in a charter. You know what? Maybe not. I am keeping him with you guys. You need to earn your salaries. Plus, DeShawn loves you guys. He thinks you are some of the best teachers in the world. By the way, 2 of DeShawn's friends did not come to school this week and he only came home with 400 dollars. DeShawn is open to having teachers play dice with him and his friends if you guys keep it on the down-low.
ReplyDelete@ shady its ok don't really want to speak with you anyway, duhhhshawn paid me the money I loaned him so we are all good. I think his 2 friends might at rikers, they were visiting relatives and got caught trying to sneak in weed. what are you going to do the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!
ReplyDelete@1:41 p.m. it is all good... I'd just ask that you stay away from my DeShawn. You sound like a miserable pathetic teacher. Concentrate on teaching and getting decent evaluations. Leave my DeShawn alone. Do you have any kids? Do they like? Do they speak to you? This is where your anger comes from.
ReplyDeleteJust sat down, showed DeShawn all these racist comments and had a very serious talk with him regarding his future. This boy always seems TO* (notice correct grammar) amaze me and surprise me.
ReplyDeleteDeShawn just said, "I do not give a fuck about racist teachers hatin on me. I is goin to the NBA. Just signed a 8 figure contract."
He also said he is going to produce a record and star in a movie. Oh and he is going to give back to the community and donate to schools.
MY DeShawn is always full of surprises. By the way I disconnected my number again last night and will provide his school my new number next week. Unless DeShawn murders someone please do not contact me. I am working teaching summer school.