By Mark Scott
Albany, NY – State Education Commissioner Richard Mills is recommending a continuation of 55 as a passing mark on state Regents exams for at least another two years.
Keeping the passing grade at 55 would affect all students now in high school and those entering ninth grade in the fall of 2004. The issue is important for high school students across the state, since passing the Regents exams is required in order to graduate.
Mills' recommendation was scheduled to be acted on by the Board of Regents Wednesday afternoon.
Mills said the long-term goal remains raising the passing grade to 65.
The board adopted 55 as a passing grade in 1995, when it began requiring passage of the Regents high school exams for graduation.