Candidates, Regents defend shifting New York graduation rules and special-ed pathways

Candidates for seats on the New York State Board of Regents and legislators at a joint hearing pressed for changes to how the state defines a high school diploma and how that definition affects students with disabilities.

The focus was on ongoing Board of Regents work to expand pathways to graduation beyond traditional Regents exams, a multiyear effort commonly described in the hearing as the Portrait of a Graduate. Proponents said the reforms aim to reduce the number of students who leave high school without credentials despite passing course work; critics warned against any move that could be perceived as lowering standards.

Regent Tellis, a long-serving member of the board, said the work emerged after statewide forums asked what the public wants students to know and be able to do when they graduate. "All means all," she said, arguing the Portrait of a Graduate is intended to prevent students who meet coursework expectations from being denied…