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Saugerties presents NYSED‑approved Plan Pilot: performance‑based assessments to count toward Regents requirements
Summary
Saugerties administrators said NYSED approved regulatory flexibility for Plan Pilot performance‑based assessments in five Regents courses; students in participating classes complete PBLAs that can satisfy graduation requirements if a student does not pass the Regents exam.
The Saugerties Central School District told its board that New York State Education Department has approved the district’s Plan Pilot regulatory‑flexibility request allowing performance‑based learning assessments (PBLAs) to count toward Regents diploma requirements in five courses.
Chelsea DeFino, assistant principal and Plan Pilot coordinator, said the three‑year action research program implements project‑based learning (PBL) and performance‑based learning assessments in pilot classrooms. District teachers submitted proposed PBLAs to NYSED and, after iterative feedback, received approval for life science/biology, algebra I, chemistry, physics and U.S. history. Students in participating courses complete PBLAs as part of their class work; DeFino said PBLAs are used as the course final and, for students who do not achieve a passing Regents score, a passing PBLA can satisfy the graduation requirement for that subject area.
DeFino emphasized that PBLAs are being used to assess broader competencies — speaking, listening, collaboration, critical thinking and professionalism — along with content knowledge, and that assessments include presentation‑of‑learning events. She said the pilot includes student co‑planning and showcase events open to the public and that the district’s implementation covers the current school year and the next, bridging toward the statewide New York Inspires initiative.
Board members and attendees asked implementation questions: whether all students in pilot classes complete PBLAs (yes), whether PBLA attempts are available in summer (students receive feedback and revision opportunities), and how PBLA results will appear on transcripts (local options vary; district can include Regents grades, PBLA scores or record an exemption). DeFino said the program aims to raise assessment rigor by adding competencies beyond standardized tests and to reduce barriers for students who underperform on single‑day exams.
The board did not vote on pilot policy changes at the meeting; administrators said they will continue implementation monitoring and shared that teachers and students have been involved in curriculum planning.
