Dear Pine Bush Families of Regents Students:

Earlier this year, the New York State Board of Regents petitioned the federal Department of Education for a waiver to cancel this year’s Regents exams. While the Department of Education has not denied the waiver, it has not granted it either. For this reason, the New York State Department of Education is moving forward with administering four Regents exams—Algebra I, English
Language Arts, Living Environment and Physical Setting/Earth Science. You can access the schedule here: June 2021 Regents Schedule

Given our current circumstances, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) has amended its regulations to allow students who have met the standards for the course of study, as locally determined, to be eligible for an exemption to the examination requirements. To qualify for such an exemption to the diploma requirements, students must meet one of the following criteria:

• The student is currently enrolled in a course of study culminating in a Regents examination and by the end of the 2021 school year, or the 2021 summer session, will have earned credit in such course of study;
• The student was previously enrolled in the course culminating in the applicable Regents examination, has achieved course credit, and has not yet passed the associated required Regents Examination but was intending to take the test in June 2021 or August 2021 to achieve a passing score; or
• The student is in grade 7 or 8, enrolled in a course of study culminating in taking a Regents examination and has met the standards assessed in the provided coursework.

If your child is taking the exam, please know the New York State Education Department has stated all exams must be administered in-person. We will be providing busing for those who live in a transportation zone. We will send information regarding transportation to those taking the exams closer to the administration dates.

Based upon this information, if you wish to have your child exempted from any of the Regents exams, and they meet one of the criteria listed above at the time of administration, please complete this Google Form no later than Friday, April 16, 2021: Regents Exemption Request Form. 

If you change your mind after this date, simply contact your child’s principal. If you do not complete this form and your child has met the course requirements on the administration date, we will expect your child to take the Regents exam.

Should you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher or school counselors.

Sincerely,

Amy Brockner
Assistant Superintendent for Instruction