US history regents canceled in New York due to Buffalo shooting – The Journal News

Buffalo Bills remember victims of mass shooting at Tops supermarket

The Buffalo Bills honored the victims of a mass shooting in the city through prayer, community service and donations to help the grieving community.

Patrick Colson-Price and Anastasiia Riddle, USA TODAY

The state Education Department on Tuesdaycanceled the June Regents exam in U.S. history and government because it contained content that "has the potential to compound student trauma caused by the recent violence in Buffalo."

A statement to educatorsfrom state Education Commissioner Betty Rosa said that officialshave been reviewing all Regents exams scheduled for June as part of the department's efforts to support students and schools afterthe May 14 mass shooting in Buffalo.

"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," said Emily DeSantis, spokesperson for the department.

The Education Department did not describe the content in question.

The U.S. history exam, which was to be administered on June 1, was developed more than two years ago, Rosa's statementsaid. There isn't time to modify the exam or produce a new one, she said.

More on Regents exams: Students who fail exams can apply for graduation credit

Vigil for Buffalo: Rockland remembers Buffalo's 10 victims

The state Board of Regents will likely decide at its June meeting that students who would otherwise pass their U.S. history course can get graduation credit without takingthe corresponding Regents exam. This exemption would likely apply to students who were planning to take the same Regents exam in Augustor in January 2023.

The Board of Regents decided last week that students who score between 50 and 64 on any Regents exams between this June and August of next year can apply to earn credit toward graduation.

The board made the changebecause of the unevenimpact of the pandemic on students. A grade of 65 is normally needed to pass a Regents exam.

All Regents exams were canceled in June in 2020.

In 2021, the state administered some exams, but students werenot required to pass the examsto earn credit and graduate.

Gary Stern is an editor/writer covering K-12 education in the Hudson Valley. Reach him at gstern@lohud.com.Twitter:@garysternNY. Click here for his latest.

Here is the original post:

US history regents canceled in New York due to Buffalo shooting - The Journal News