Dr. Zaphetz presented the state's New York Inspires initiative to the Greece Central School District board, describing four recommended transformations: adopt a state Portrait of a Graduate, redefine how credits are earned, decouple Regents exams from graduation pathways by offering alternate assessments, and move to one statewide diploma. "Regents exams are not going away," Dr. Zaphetz said, noting that the state will continue to offer Regents as an option under ESSA requirements while creating additional pathways to show the same rigor.

Board members pressed for specifics. Dr. Zaphetz said the first cohort affected will be students who enter ninth grade in 2027 and that full implementation is expected by 2029, but several crucial details remain unresolved. The presenter cited a "major life event" Regents exemption that the district used this year: "We had 10 major life event exemptions that were approved," he said, describing exemptions for students undergoing cancer treatment, serious accidents, or the death of a family member.

Much of the discussion centered on credit definitions and assessment quality. Dr. Zaphetz explained the initiative's spirit is to move beyond seat time so credits could be earned through internships, work-based learning, capstone projects or supervised community experiences, not only yearlong courses. Board members asked whether lab-hour requirements for science classes and attendance-driven state aid would be affected; Dr. Zaphetz said final state guidance was still pending and that districts will need local processes (rubrics, calibration and vetting of alternate assessments) to ensure rigor.

Members also raised concerns that performance-based and portfolio pathways could widen disparities if definitions of "mastery" differ across districts. One board member warned the change might "water down" the value of a New York State diploma if seals and endorsements proliferate. Dr. Zaphetz acknowledged the risk and said districts will be able to add local seals or endorsements but that the state's single-diploma model is intended to preserve baseline consistency while allowing district-level badges.

The presentation covered curricular groundwork the district is already undertaking: ensuring financial-literacy instruction across grades 6 6 and planning for climate-education requirements (expected to begin for grades 9 12 in 2027). Staff also flagged the need to address responsible classroom use of artificial intelligence as assessments and assignments are reimagined.

The board did not take action; staff said they will return with updates as the state releases more concrete guidance and as internal work groups develop local plans and rubrics.