State Education Department cancels US History & Government Regents exam after Buffalo mass shooting

The department said in a tweet, "It is committed to supporting our students and fellow community members following the heinous mass shooting in Buffalo."

News 12 Staff

May 24, 2022, 4:44 PM

Updated 943 days ago

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The New York state Education Department has announced that the June 2022 Regents Exam in U.S. History & Government has been canceled.
The department said in a tweet, "It is committed to supporting our students and fellow community members following the heinous mass shooting in Buffalo."
In addition, the department said, "Our experts determined that there is content on the new Regents Examination in U.S. History & Government (Framework) that has the potential to compound student trauma caused by the violence in Buffalo, which created an unexpected and unintended context for the planned assessment."
The exam was scheduled to be given to 11th grade students across New York state on June 1.
Malverne School Superintendent Dr. Lorna Lewis says she was told Tuesday and agrees with the decision.
"It's not sad news for the students that it's been removed," Lewis says. "What's sad is what happened in Buffalo and the fact that something as horrific as that has caused that trickle effect."
Lewis says that the Education Department has not revealed the exact wording of the question.
The tests have already been printed and were ready to be sent to schools, but state officials say there isn't enough time to modify the exam or produce a new one.
Marissa Haye, a junior in high school, says the department made the right decision.
"I think having that question on there would be a bit too early, and it would really mess up students' minds because many people might have people, family members in the shooting," Haye says.
The state Education Department will ask the Board of Regents to remove the test as a graduation requirement for students who were also slated to take the exam in August and January 2023.