Queens Students Raise English And Math Regents Scores

Nearly all students who finished high school on time, in four years, passed this years math and English Regents exams, it was declared by the New York State Department of Education.
The announcement is part of a five-year program to gradually upgrade the value of a high school diploma.
While the report revealed a significant improvement in student grades, it also highlighted student shortcomings. Schools Chancellor Harold Levy said that 12,400 city students, scheduled to take this test, dropped out of school. He also pointed out that the remaining students needed a score of 55 to reach a passing grade.
According to State law, Regents testing will become progressively tougher by 2004. Students will be required to pass five Regents exams (English, math, science, and two in social studies) in order to graduate. This year, the class of 2000 only had to pass an English Regents to earn a diploma, and next year, the class of 2001 will have to pass the English and math tests.
The passing rate may also be lower in 2004, when the passing grade will be raised to 65.