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Regents Exam Update

October 2026

Regents Exam Update October 2026
Regents ExamUpdateOctober 2026

Regents Exams Update Regents Exams Update

October 7, 2026

Dear West Seneca Central School District Families,

We want to share an important update regarding recent announcements from the New York State Education Department (NYSED) concerning Regents examinations and high school graduation requirements, and to clarify what these changes mean for your child.


As part of New York State’s NY Inspires initiative, our high school graduation framework and approach to learning are evolving. These updates are designed to provide students with a more personal, hands-on, and complete educational experience that prepares them for college, careers, and adult life.


Below is an overview of what is changing, what stays the same, and how our district is guiding students through this transition.


Thank you for your continued partnership.


Sincerely,

Dr. Lisa Krueger

Superintendent of Schools

Regents Exams Are Not Canceled

  • Current Requirements Remain: Regents examinations are NOT being eliminated.
  • Keep Preparing: Students must continue attending classes, preparing for, and sitting for all scheduled Regents exams - including exams scheduled for January and June 2027. News reports do NOT mean students can skip their exams.

What Is Changing for Future Graduates?

  • Students Graduating Before January 2028: Must continue meeting all current graduation and assessment requirements.
  • Students Graduating January 2028 or Later: The Board of Regents has voted to move toward one New York State diploma and decouple required state exams as a standalone condition for earning a diploma.
  • Exams Will Still Have a Role: Assessments will continue to be used for state and federal accountability and may still be used by students to demonstrate proficiency or earn special seals and endorsements.

How Our District Is Preparing

As NYSED (New York State Education Department) works to build new competencies, rubrics, prioritized learning standards, and a universal transcript, our district is proactively planning as part of a Regional Professional Learning Community.


As part of our 2027–2032 Strategic Planning process and the Portrait of a Graduate framework, we are exploring alternative pathways for students to showcase their learning through Portrait of a Graduate aligned proficiency measures. Districts must show how students demonstrate PoG competencies through multiple measures, such as:

  • Course Sequences
  • Regents Exams
  • Dual Enrollment
  • Advanced Placement
  • NYS Seal of Biliteracy
  • NYS Seal of Civic Readiness
  • Individual Arts Assessment Pathway
  • Career and Technical Education
  • New Seals/ Endorsements
  • Performance-Based Assessment Task Portfolio/Capstone
  • Work-Based Learning
  • CDOS Credential


Our district currently offers all of these options. We are looking at building a comprehensive local assessment system inclusive of multiple sources of evidence to understand student learning.


Examples of such evidence are:

  • classroom assessments

  • student work

  • performance-based learning

  • educator observations

  • State assessments

Student Guidance & Counselor Contacts Student Guidance & Counselor Contacts

Every student's path toward graduation is unique. If you have questions about your child's specific requirements, credits, or academic plan, our counseling staff is here to help. Below is the counseling staff directory for each high school.

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West Senior High School

Mrs. Kivari, School Counselor - jkivari@wscschools.org
  • Student Last Names (A-De & Ks-Li - Grades 10, 11, 12); (A-Fa - Grade 9)
Mrs. Smith, School Counselor - jsmith01@wscschools.org
  • Student Last Names (Df-Kr - Grades 10, 11, 12); (Fb-L - Grade 9)
Mr. Meslinsky, School Counselor - emeslinsky@wscschools.org
  • Student Last Names (McD-Sg - Grades 10, 11, 12); (M-Ro - Grade 9)
Mrs. Walsh, School Counselor - twalsh@wscschools.org
  • Student Last Names (Lj-McC & Sh-Z - Grades 10, 11, 12); (Rp -Z - Grade 9)
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East Senior High School

Mrs. Page, School Counselor - kpage@wscschools.org
  • Student Last Names (A-G)
Mrs. Smilinich, School Counselor - jsmilinich@wscschools.org
  • Student Last Names (H-N)
Ms. Clar, School Counselor - sclar@wscschools.org
  • Student Last Names (O-Z)

Helpful Resources From Our District Helpful Resources From Our District

District Presentation Regarding NY Inspires (10/6/26)
West Seneca Central School District Strategic Learning Plan

Helpful Resources From NYSED Helpful Resources From NYSED

Message from Commissioner of Education, Dr. Betty A. Rosa
This letter outlines the plan to transform education and reimagine graduation requirements by focusing on multiple measures of student achievement.
New York State's Transformation Timeline
NYSED provides an overview of their transition plan, including the move to one diploma and sunsetting assessment requirements. Last Updated September 2026.
New York State's Frequently Asked Questions
NYSED provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Portrait of a Graduate from stakeholders throughout New York State. Last updated September 2026.

West Seneca Schools Mission

We are an educational community that encourages kindness, inspires confidence, and instills the belief that together we can achieve anything.

Jessica Shanahan
Communications & Digital Media Coordinator
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