OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Silver Creek Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston recently described the changes to graduation requirements that have been recommended by the Blue Ribbon Commission.

SILVER CREEK — Change could be coming to high schools across the state.

The New York State Department of Education and the Board of Regents are evaluating the graduation requirements for students across the state in a way to better prepare students for the next stage of their life. After a recent meeting of the Blue Ribbon Commission, Silver Creek Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston offered an overview of the discussions being had at the state level to her district’s Board of Education.

“It really is something that I wholeheartedly believe is going to happen,” Ralston said. “We are moving in this direction, for sure.”

The State’s Graduation Measures Initiative is currently in its final phase, in which additional stakeholder feedback is being collected in order to create and communicate a comprehensive roadmap moving forward.

Ralston stated her belief the overhaul being discussed is “driven by culturally responsive education.” Ralston explained when the data is broken down, the question that lingers is, “Why is it always a certain student graduating at a certain rate?” She added that even if a school has a high graduation rate, the students are not necessarily prepared for success in the world outside of school.

Ralston noted that assessment and credit requirements are areas of focus as recommended by the Blue Ribbon Commission.

The assessment portion of the discussion centered around a desire to replace the three diploma types that currently exist with one diploma, instead offering the option to add seals and endorsements. More assessment options, such as performance-based assessments, are also being evaluated. The need to pass the Regents exam could be removed from the State’s graduation requirements.

Regarding credit requirements, the Blue Ribbon Commission recommended credits be reorganized into larger categories, such as STEM rather than specifically mathematics and science courses. Other credit requirements could include civic responsibility and ethics courses, cultural competence, financial literacy, fine and performing arts, and a focus on real-world skills. Also recommended by the Blue Ribbon Commission is ensured access to career and technical education, including internships and work-based learning opportunities.

The Blue Ribbon Commission is also pushing the State to require teacher preparation programs to educate teachers in culturally responsive practices so that professional development plans can include such practices. The Blue Ribbon Commission wants the State’s learning standards to better align with college and career expectations, while also being culturally responsive when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The State Department of Education has developed the “Portrait of a Graduate”, which is used as the framework for future diploma requirements. The ideal graduate would be a critical thinker; an innovative problem solver; an effective communicator; be literate across content areas; demonstrate cultural competence and social/emotional competence; and be a global citizen.

“There’s a lot that is unanswered here,” Ralston said. “… The next phase is to gather more feedback.”

Through the month of October, the State will continue to engage with stakeholders for more feedback, while also identifying the potential budgetary impact of the changes.

In November, a full plan will be presented to the Board of Regents, including projected timelines and the impacted regulations. Ralston noted that a vote on the presentation is not anticipated in November.

“I think it’s important — especially for this region of New York State — to also put in what challenges and opportunities might exist,” Ralston said. “We are not New York City. We have totally different opportunities here for our students, and I think that needs to be considered in all of the things that are being discussed.”