Update on NYS High School Graduation Requirements From Superintendent Rizzo

Please find a message emailed to all families on 9/17/26 from Superintendent Rizzo regarding the New York State Education Department and the Board of Regents’ changes to New York State’s high school graduation requirements below. You will also find the Portrait of a Graduate presentation given at the 9/15/26 Board of Education meeting attached below. If you did not receive the letter below in your inbox, please reach out to your building’s main office to update your information.

Dear Mountaineer Students and Families,

Earlier this week, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and Board of Regents announced an important change to New York State’s high school graduation requirements that will begin with students graduating in 2028.

As part of the state’s NY Inspires initiative, New York is moving to one high school diploma. Based on the most current information shared, by 2028 students will no longer be required to pass a prescribed set of Regents examinations as a separate requirement to earn a diploma.

Regents exams are not being eliminated. They will continue to be administered and will remain an important way for students to demonstrate achievement of New York State learning standards.

During this time of transition, students should continue to attend their courses, complete all required coursework and credits, and take Regents exams as scheduled. There is no immediate change to schedules, courses, or academic expectations. New York State is gradually moving toward a broader system for determining whether students are prepared for life after high school.

In July 2025, the Board of Regents adopted the New York State Portrait of a Graduate, which establishes a vision for the knowledge, skills and qualities students should develop by the time they graduate.

The Portrait of a Graduate identifies six attributes of a New York State graduate:

Academically Prepared
Creative Innovator
Critical Thinker
Effective Communicator
Global Citizen
Reflective and Future Focused

NYSED will continue developing the regulations and guidance needed to implement these changes. Until those changes take effect, students and families should continue to follow all existing course, credit and Regents exam requirements.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support of our students.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Rizzo
Superintendent of Schools

Berlin CSD Portrait of A Graduate Presentation

Please find below the Portrait of a Graduate presentation given by BCSD’s Superintendent Rizzo and Director of Instructional Innovation and Technology, Mrs. Gilbert, during the September 15, 2026, Board of Education meeting.