June was the busiest month of the academic year for New York State high school teachers and their students.   In addition to getting their students to hand in any last minute assignments, NYS high school teachers had to make sure that their students were fully prepared to take required standardized tests, called Regents examinations , commissioned by the NYS Education Department.  

These exams are critical for most students who entered a New York high school in 2008 or beyond, as graduation is contingent upon passing (65% or above) all five of the required Regents exams.   However, now, due to recent legislation passed by Governor Cuomo, students won’t be the only ones who will suffer the negative repercussions of failing a Regents exam.