School curriculum and graduation standards could soon look very different for young students in New York, and some of the potential changes are coming into view.

For Stephanie Bosco-Ruggiero and parents around the state, the potential for change in state school curriculum has left her with a lot of questions. 

“I'm just here to listen to what decisions have been made and what is still being considered," she said. 

She spoke while at the Dutchess County BOCES building, where she went to learn more at one of the first graduation measures forums in the state. It connected parents with educators who worked on the statewide committee recommending changes to Regents exams and graduation requirements to the New York State Board of Regents.

The changes include moving away from testing and toward college and career readiness.

Local superintendents also received an in-depth look at what this would mean for their districts. 

“Clearly, not everyone is college ready," said Wappingers Central School District Superintendent Dwight Bonk. "We have to realize that. And I believe that we need to look at other options for students, such as some of the pathways that are included here so that we adequately prepare them for life.” 

Changes include removing Regents as a requirement to graduate, though they still will be used to measure standards. Instead, diplomas will be given through credits earned in a variety of classes, from arts to financial literacy and STEM.

Bonk said the changes could work hand in hand with economic development. 

“These are excellent jobs that pay very, very well," he said. "I think that now, hopefully we're going to have the flexibility to be able to funnel individuals that have an interest in that career path under these pathways. I think is going to be beneficial for everybody.” 

Bosco-Ruggiero said from what she’s heard, she likes moving away from Regents exams. She saw the positives of it firsthand when the state canceled some Regents during COVID-19. 

“It was shown that that actually was a good thing for a lot of kids because they could demonstrate their proficiency in the class with the classroom work without taking the test," she said. 

Additional forums are happening at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at the BOCES building conference center; 6:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at Beacon High School; and 6:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at Pawling Middle School.

You can find more information on the Dutchess BOCES website. You can also contact your local district to see if it plans on hosting a forum, or reach out to the state education department to submit questions or comments. That survey will be open until Oct. 6.