Goodbye Regents Exams?
Summary
Host Kusha Navadar discusses New York State’s plan to phase out Regents exams by 2028, joined by Chalkbeat reporter Michael Elson Rooney. They explore the shift toward competency-based assessments and the "Portrait of a Graduate," while examining the lack of clear guidance for schools. Callers, including teachers and parents, debate the trade-offs between standardized testing and alternative models like portfolios, highlighting concerns about equity, rigor, and the impact of pandemic-era learning losses on the transition.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: Roundabout Theater and NYC Architecture Festival
Intro: The phase-out of NY State Regents exams
Call-in segment: Listener opinions on the change
Context: Why the state is ending the exams
The 'Portrait of a Graduate' and assessment challenges
Explaining competency-based education models
Alternative models: Portfolios, credentials, and IB
Listener text: Art teacher on outdated exams
Caller Lisa: Value of Regents for struggling students
Caller Diane: Need for rigorous gatekeeping and AI concerns
Hour break and show recap
Caller Terry: Preference for project-based learning
Analysis: The tension between standards and flexibility
Unanswered questions: Who decides the new assessments?
Caller Gretchen: Concerns about timing and teacher prep
Discussion: Implementation challenges and pandemic impact
State guidance vs. district flexibility and funding
Future of Regents: Obsolescence and federal requirements
Closing thoughts: The importance of assessment data
Outro and sponsorship information
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