Locust Valley board adopts 'do no harm' stance on new Regents science exams

The Locust Valley Central School District Board of Education voted unanimously on Monday evening to adopt a "do no harm" resolution for this year’s New York State Regents science exams, saying the district will not allow exam results to hurt students’ final grades.

Janine, who briefed the board on the exams, said Locust Valley did not opt in when the new Regents in biology and Earth science were first administered last year and that problems persist with this year’s version. "Our kids came in ready to go and the state's test really didn't prove...there were errors in spelling," she said, arguing the exam "wasn't fair to the students." She told the board the resolution would ensure that, "if it helps them, great, but if it doesn't, it will not be counted into their final grade."

The move places Locust Valley alongside several neighboring Long Island districts that have adopted similar protections for students' grades after the transition to the revised Regents exams. Board members said the resolution is intended as a student-protective policy rather than a permanent grading change; the board chair noted that the policy committee will examine "regions and their values and their inclusion in students' grades" during the coming school year to consider a systematic approach.

Trustee Matthew Barnes moved to entertain the resolution and Trustee Nick seconded the motion. After brief discussion the board voted "unanimous" in favor; individual roll-call tallies were not specified in the meeting transcript.

Supporters said the resolution preserves local control over grading while administrators and the state refine the new exam format. The board did not adopt further enforcement language at the meeting; the policy committee's review is the next procedural step.

The resolution was introduced during new business and was recorded as adopted at the meeting's vote.