While it was the first day of school for many districts across Long Island, the New York State Board of Regents is considering changes to the requirements for graduation at the end of the school year.

When the board meets in two weeks, it will consider changing those requirements for good students who are poor test takers.

"We have to come up with a rationale and a way of providing graduation requirements that make sense, and don't keep kids from having a future," says board member Roger Tilles.

The board will also be voting on regulations proposed by the state Education Department. One proposal says that districts that don't increase participation in state testing could be forced to use some of their Title I money to increase participation. That money is tied to students in need.

Jeanette Deutermann, of Long Island Opt Out, says she disagrees with that proposal.

“The Title I money that is used for children in poverty really should not be reallocated in any way toward marketing for the test,” she says.

Long Island has had a large number of students opting out of the state tests over the past few years. 

The Board of Regents will also be discussing a new teacher evaluation system when they meet in about two weeks.