Dear Lockport CSD Learning Community,
I want to share important information about a significant initiative from the New York State Education Department (NYSED) called NY Inspires: A Plan to Transform Education in New York State. The Lockport City School District is proud to share this important work with our community as we continue building strong, future-ready opportunities for our students. Take a moment to watch our informational video and/or keep reading to learn what’s ahead.
This statewide plan is designed to ensure that all students graduate with the knowledge, skills, and competencies they need to succeed in college, careers, and life. There are four major ways his initiative will reshape graduation measures and opportunities for students. These include:
Adopting the New York State Portrait of a Graduate – a consistent vision of graduate readiness across the state. It includes a set of essential skills and attributes students must develop.
Sunsetting Existing Graduation Requirements – phasing out reliance on standard Regents exams as the primary diploma requirement.
Moving to a Single Diploma – replacing multiple diploma types (e.g., local, Regents, advanced) with one diploma; adding seals and endorsements for specialized achievements.
Redefining Credits & Assessments – emphasize proficiency and real‐world demonstrations (projects, service learning, portfolios, CTE experiences, etc.)
NYSED is introducing these changes gradually to ensure a smooth transition for schools, students, and families.
Phase 1 (Fall 2025 – Summer 2027): Districts will begin professional learning, receive guidance on rubrics, and prepare for new learning standards. Teachers will start incorporating strategies to support students in demonstrating the Portrait of a Graduate competencies.
Phase 2 (Fall 2027 – Summer 2029): Students will move toward one high school diploma. Current diploma assessments, including Regents exams, will no longer be required to graduate, although they will remain an option for evaluating proficiency. New opportunities for students to demonstrate learning will include projects, portfolios, and real-world experiences. Redefined seals and endorsements will recognize advanced achievement.
Phase 3 (Fall 2029+): Full implementation will include a statewide transcript documenting student proficiency in both learning standards and the Portrait of a Graduate. Students graduating from this phase onward will demonstrate mastery of the six Portrait competencies in addition to academic requirements.
What does this mean for Lockport City School District?
These changes are state-directed and will affect all New York State districts. Our role is to work collaboratively with our regional BOCES and district stakeholders to thoughtfully bring these requirements into practice. Over the next few school years, we will focus on preparing our students, supporting our teachers, and keeping families informed every step of the way.
Stay Informed
We encourage all members of our learning community to visit our NY Inspires webpage at lockportschools.org/nyinspires. You can find the overview video, supporting documents, and other resources that explain these changes in detail. Additional updates and guidance will be shared as implementation progresses.
Thank you for your continued support. Our district will ensure that Lockport students are well-prepared for the future while maintaining the high standards of learning and equity. We are Lions. We all belong. And, together, we will continue to collaborate as a strong, connected learning community.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mathis Calvin
Superintendent of Schools