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After flawed Regents items, Massapequa staff recommend and board adopts a 'no‑harm' approach for two exams
Summary
District staff reported errors and confusing questions on this year's Earth/Space Science and Biology Regents; the board accepted a staff recommendation to apply a 'no‑harm' policy for those two courses so scores count only if they improve a student's grade.
District curriculum staff told the Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education on June 25 that this year’s Regents exams in Earth/Space Science and Biology contained multiple items that were confusing or had no correct answer.
"There were multiple questions on each of them that had no correct answer," said Dr. Trapani, summarizing the district review and conversations with other local districts. District staff recommended a "no‑harm" grading policy for those two courses for this year, meaning a student's Regents score will be included in the course average only if it benefits the student; otherwise it will not be counted.
Staff said they are calculating course averages under that approach and that counselors and teachers will meet with families to explain any impact on final grades. Board members discussed broader grading policy questions and the state’s changing assessment rules and said they will continue conversations with colleges and neighboring districts about multiple pathways and transcript practices.
The board recorded the recommendation and the district proceeded with implementation steps for the affected courses; the meeting record shows staff and counselors will reach out to impacted families.
