Ahead of schedule, Regents adopt new academic expectations

On Board Online • July 21, 2025

By Sara Foss
Special Correspondent

At their July meeting, the state Board of Regents adopted an updated "Portrait of a Graduate" - a vision of what New York students should know, be able to do and embody by the time they finish high school.

The Portrait of a Graduate is part of NY Inspires, a state plan for overhauling graduation requirements. Regents exams will become optional as the State Education Department (SED) identifies alternative pathways to graduation, such as allowing students to complete rigorous capstone projects.

The Regents originally planned to adopt the Portrait of a Graduate in November. But after listening to a presentation from SED staff and discussing the plan in detail, the board decided to take action.

Board of Regents Chancellor Lester Young Jr. led the push to adopt the Portrait of a Graduate immediately, saying that if the board waited until November to do so, schools wouldn't incorporate the new portrait into their expectations for students until the 2026-27 school year.

"Why can't we communicate our expectations today?" Young said. "We're in a situation right now that begs action . It's important to communicate to the entire state that this is our expectation. We're attempting to address the needs of the students that are in front of us now, not the students we used to have."

"This has been two years in the making," said Regent Hasoni Pratts. "This is not anything that's new. We've talked about this at almost every single Regents meeting since I've been on this board. Many students cannot wait for this. So many have been left behind already . Why would we wait for three more months when we can start now?"

The plan includes requiring education in finance and climate effective in the 2026-27 school year. New graduation measures and the Portrait of a Graduate won't be fully phased in until the 2029-30 school year. Then, every high school graduate will be expected to be:

Academically prepared. Graduates will demonstrate a strong foundation in the state's learning standards and be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve success in college, careers, civic engagement, service and life. "Academically prepared" replaces a draft characteristic called "literate in all subject areas."

A creative innovator. Graduates will use their imagination, curiosity and "flexible thinking" to solve problems creatively and develop new ideas and products while adapting to evolving circumstances and challenges.

A critical thinker. Graduates will analyze information thoughtfully, evaluate evidence critically and identify patterns and connections between different pieces of information to address complex issues and navigate the world with insight.

An effective communicator. Graduates will articulate ideas clearly and confidently through speaking, writing and the use of different types of media for various purposes, while engaging with diverse audiences and actively listening to different perspectives.

A global citizen. Graduates will act responsibly and ethically within local, global and digital communities, employing civic knowledge skills and mindsets to promote global sustainability and contribute positively to a culturally diverse, democratic society.

Reflective and future-focused. Graduates will engage in self-reflection to identity strengths and areas for growth, setting meaningful goals, using social awareness to maintain supportive relationships and demonstrating responsible decision-making that prioritizes social, emotional and mental well-being. "Reflective and future-focused" replaces a draft characteristic called "social-emotional competence."

The original Portrait of a Graduate, unveiled in November 2024, included cultural competence as one of the attributes graduates should possess. The updated version places culturally responsive-sustaining education at the center of the six attributes, "emphasizing that every Portrait of a Graduate attribute should be viewed through a culturally responsive and sustaining lens," said Santosha Oliver, assistant commissioner for standards and instructional programs at SED.

"This is a key revision," she said.

SED materials describe what it means to be culturally responsive: "A New York State high school graduate who is culturally responsive builds strong, respectful relationships, valuing diverse perspectives as essential to a rigorous, inclusive learning community." Students who embody cultural responsiveness and academic readiness "will be prepared to learn, grow, innovate and contribute meaningfully to society."

The Portrait of a Graduate "is a statement about who we are in New York state when it comes to education," said Regent Fran Wills. "We're sticking to our beliefs about the welcoming and inclusive environment, and one that values every human being."