Felicia Thomas-Williams, a member of the New York Board of Regents and former school principal, expressed her enthusiasm over the decision to no longer require high school students to pass Regents exams starting from 2028. She argued that this move is not about lowering educational standards but rather ensuring that assessments are fair and appropriate for all students. Chancellor Lester Young also supported the change, emphasizing its potential to create a more equitable education system. However, some board members like Weinman Shorenstein expressed concerns over how local communities will assess student performance without standardized exams.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-16,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Betty Rosa, the New York state education commissioner, expressed her enthusiasm over the decision to scrap longstanding high school exams that had been required for graduation since the early 20th century. The Board of Regents, which oversees education in New York, announced that students will no longer need to pass the Regents exams starting from 2028. These exams test basic knowledge in subjects such as math, English, science, and global studies.
Felicia Thomas-Williams, a former school principal elected to represent Long Island on the board, supported the change, arguing that it is not about lowering educational standards but rather allowing students to demonstrate their competencies differently. She stated, "All New York State students will now be able to showcase their strengths in demonstrating what they know and can do," adding, “You don't assess a fish on climbing trees.”
Written for “Scrapping High School Exams New York” on 2026-09-17,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
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stored, so you can find it in the original.
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'All New York State students will now be able to demonstrate their competency, which I know is the expectation, in a manner that showcases their strength,' she said.
left frames the move as empowering and fair for all students
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'Have you seen the cartoon where you have a fish climb a tree?' she said. 'You don't assess a fish on climbing tree because fish can't climb tree. I am so thrilled about this, I just want to put it out there.'
left uses metaphor to argue against standardized testing as unfair
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'Every student in New York deserves access to rich, high‑quality learning experiences and meaningful opportunities to demonstrate what they know and can do,' he said.
left frames the move as promoting equitable education opportunities
Leaning score -0.45 for article 13880 (high confidence, 3 verified quotes) · logged 2026-09-16
A New York schools official has said she is 'thrilled' that longstanding exams will no longer be required.
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exams → say → ?
For decades, passing Regents exams has been a requirement for New York students to graduate high school.
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students → pass → school
The exam tests basic knowledge in math, English, science and global studies.
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exam → test → math
However the Board of Regents - responsible for education in the state - has announced the exams will no longer be necessary in order for students to graduate from 2028.
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students → announce → 2028
Felicia Thomas-Williams, 58, a former school principal who was elected as Long Island's representative on the board, said she supported the move.
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she → elect → move
'All New York State students will now be able to demonstrate their competency, which I know is the expectation, in a manner that showcases their strength,' she said.
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she → demonstrate → strength
Thomas-Williams also argued the move was 'the opposite' of 'dumbing down' education.
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move → argue → education
'Have you seen the cartoon where you have a fish climb a tree?' she said.
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she → see → tree
'You don't assess a fish on climbing tree because fish can't climb tree.
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fish → assess → tree
I am so thrilled about this, I just want to put it out there.'
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I → want → it
New York Regent member Felicia Thomas-Williams, 58, said she was 'thrilled' about the Regents exam being scrapped
Thomas-Williams added a comparison saying that having the Regents exam as a requirement for high school graduation would be like asking 'fish to climb a tree'
Board of Regents Chancellor Lester Young also praised the move.
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Young → say → move
'Every student in New York deserves access to rich, high‑quality learning experiences and meaningful opportunities to demonstrate what they know and can do,' he said.
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he → deserve → what
'Advancing this work moves us closer to a more equitable system, one that upholds high expectations for all while ensuring that a student's zip code, background or circumstance never determines their opportunities for success.'
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code → advance → success
Going forward, the New York Department of Education is expected to develop alternative graduation requirements.
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Department → go → requirements
Betty Rosa, the state's education commissioner, told NBC4: 'By maintaining rigorous standards while giving students more opportunities to apply their knowledge, think critically, solve problems, and demonstrate what they know and can do, we are better preparing them for college, careers, civic life, and the future.'
However, not all colleagues shared their enthusiasm.
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colleagues → tell → enthusiasm
Board member Weinman Shorenstein said he was concerned about the decision.
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he → say → decision
'I'm unsure how you intend to determine comparability across local communities with different assessments,' he said.
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he → intend → assessments
A video of Thomas-Williams' speech circulating on X evoked mixed reactions from viewers.
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video → circulate → viewers
'What is it with politicians and using the clumsiest metaphors possible,' one user commented.
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user → use → metaphors
Another wrote: 'Fish can't climb trees - and New York children are biologically incapable of reading, math, science and social studies?
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children → write → reading
Why make them attend school?'
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them → make → school
The Daily Mail has contacted Thomas-Williams for comment.
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Mail → contact → comment
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