Should Regents exams be overhauled? It’s a question that the state Board of Regents plans to study this fall as it considers revisiting New York’s graduation policies. Critics of the exams – and of standardized testing – say there are different and equally rigorous methods to measure student proficiency. They also say the tests place undue burden on some students, particularly minority students. Supporters of the Regents exams say the tests have evolved in recent years and provide a needed final assessment of students preparing to graduate.
Our guests debate the value of these exit exams:
- Sheila Byrne, Advanced Placement English teacher at Webster Thomas High School
- Evvy Fanning, English teacher at a local suburban public school
- Katie Baird, recent graduate of Webster Thomas High School
- Calvin Eaton, founder and executive director of 540WMain Communiversity, and substitute teacher