School counselors from Dutchess BOCES and its component school districts gathered at Dutchess Community College for the bimonthly School Counselors Roundtable to receive updates on NY Inspires, the New York State initiative redefining what a diploma signifies and how students demonstrate readiness for life beyond high school.
Dutchess BOCES Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instructional Services Rebecca Green led the session, noting that BOCES is involved in giving feedback to the state surrounding NY Inspires and is working closely with its 13 component districts. Green clarified that NYSED is not looking to change what districts are already doing that meets the expectations of NY Inspires, but rather encourage educators to think about the different ways their students learn, how different assessments will support them and what kind of personalization is required, all culminating in a transcript that reflects what a student learned in school. “It really is going to change what we know and do in education from K-12,” Green said. “It is built for our current world, so we’re trying to move away from the things that drove our instruction and assessment in the past.”
A key element of NY Inspires includes phasing out diploma requirements and moving to a competency-based learning system, rather than one based solely on credits. Rather than have just a Regents assessment to show students meeting graduation requirements, students could showcase what they learned through a portfolio, a project-based learning opportunity, or a speaking engagement. When Green asked counselors about other ways students could showcase what they learned, responses included community service and job experience. Additionally, educators will have to look at ways to show that their students are academically prepared and have met the state’s Portrait of a Graduate initiative, which includes thinking critically and communicating effectively. “These are the kinds of real-life opportunities for kids to practice and show what they know – the learning is the constant,” Green said. “We’re not starting from nothing; there are many opportunities … some of your schools and teachers may already be doing some kind of project-based learning – all of those pieces will go into this.”
Required lessons surrounding personal finance are being incorporated into schools, while high school students will be expected to have lessons in climate education by fall 2027. Green assured counselors that instruction in a classroom is not going away. Teachers are encouraged to help students find active ways to solve problems. “We still need math and science, but maybe how they demonstrate that they have learned those concepts just looks a little different,” Green explained. “It’s going to need support from everybody no matter whether you’re a student, a teacher, a counselor, an administrator or a community member.”
Beacon High School Guidance Counselor Michele Santiago believes NY Inspires is an exciting opportunity for schools across New York, especially for students who are not good test takers, but excel in experimental learning. “I always thought that was a much better way for students to learn, rather than just sitting in a classroom, where it’s relatively disconnected,” Santiago said of experiential learning. “This is going to be really attractive to students and really keep them engaged in their education.”
Rhinebeck High School Counselor Jeff Palazzolo said schools have been trending toward giving students real-life learning opportunities and NY Inspires neatly aligns with that thinking. “It was nice to hear all that’s been done and it seems like she’s [Green] at the core, very passionate about providing a better experience for students,” Palazzolo said. “I’m very hopeful and encouraged.”