History Regents exams canceled
State: Question could compound trauma from Buffalo shooting
The state abruptly canceled the Regents exam in U.S. history and government Tuesday, saying content in the test could compound student trauma regarding the Buffalo shooting.
The tests had already been printed and were ready to be sent to schools. Students were to take it June 1. It has been entirely canceled; the state won’t rewrite it to administer later in June.
In a letter posted on the state Education Department website, Commissioner Betty Rosa wrote that the exam’s content was “educationally sound” but was reviewed in the wake of the mass shooting.
“During that review, our experts determined that there is content on the new Regents Examination in United States history and government (framework) that has the potential to compound student trauma caused by the recent violence in Buffalo,” Rosa wrote.
“While developed by Nyscertified social studies teachers more than two years ago and field-tested to confirm that the exam’s content is educationally sound, the tragedy in Buffalo has created an unexpected and unintended context for the planned assessment.”
She did not offer details about the content. Later, spokeswoman Emily Desantis issued a statement that suggested one question was involved.
She wrote that “the tragedy in Buffalo has created an unexpected and unintended context for the planned assessment. In the wake of the Buffalo tragedy, it is not appropriate to administer the exam with a question that could compound the grief and hardship faced by our school communities.”
State officials told the Times
Union to submit a Freedom of Information request to learn more about the question at issue.
The exam was to be held for the first time. Now it may be delayed at least another year, she said.
At the upcoming Board of Regents meeting in June, the board will consider granting an exemption to allow students to graduate without taking the exam, she said.
“Due to the technical requirements associated with administering a new assessment, the regulatory change that the Board of Regents will consider will include exemptions for students planning to take this exam in June 2022, August 2022, and January 2023,” she said.