Dear Chatham CSD Families,
Earlier this week, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and Board of Regents announced an important change to New York State’s high school graduation requirements that will begin with students graduating in 2028.
As part of the state’s NY Inspires initiative, New York is changing how students demonstrate their readiness to graduate and is moving to one high school diploma. Beginning in 2028, students will no longer be required to pass a prescribed set of Regents examinations as a separate requirement to earn a diploma.
Some Important Points to Know:
Regents exams are not being eliminated. They will continue to be administered and will remain an important way for students to demonstrate achievement of New York State learning standards.
For the 2026-27 school year, current graduation and assessment requirements remain in effect.
Chatham students should continue to attend their courses, complete all required coursework and credits, and take Regents exams as scheduled. There is no immediate change to students' schedules, courses, or academic expectations.
New York State is gradually moving toward a broader system for determining whether students are prepared for life after high school. As a district we are examining how we assess our students. It is the district’s goal to reimagine student assessments and utilize innovative approaches such as portfolios, presentation, and hands-on projects.
In July 2025, the Board of Regents adopted the New York State Portrait of a Graduate, which establishes a vision for the knowledge, skills and qualities students should develop by the time they graduate. In Chatham, we have collaboratively developed our own Portrait of a Panther that will guide all that we do as a community to assure our Panthers are prepared for success after graduation:
NYSED will continue developing the regulations and guidance needed to implement these changes. Until those changes take effect, students and families should continue to follow all existing course, credit, and Regents exam requirements.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support of our students. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Fondly,
Andrew Kourt
Chatham Superintendent
Terry Bordell
Director of Innovation, Curriculum and Assessment