ALBANY, NY (WENY) -- The New York State Education Department announced Tuesday the January 2022 High School Regents exams are being canceled, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the NYSED, the cancellation applies to all Regents exams that were scheduled during the January 2022 exam period. At this time, no decisions have been made to the June or August 2022 Regents, or other state assessment exams.

“Educators, school staff, communities, and families have taken painstaking efforts to ensure a safe and healthy school year," Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said. "Given the unpredictable nature of the pandemic, the recent acceleration in COVID-19 infections, and continuing upheaval the virus has caused in schools across the state, this decision is the right one. New York's students will continue to have access to high-quality coursework while allowing districts to prioritize the health and safety of our school communities."

The Department of Education will ask the Board of Regents to approve modifications to the assessment requirement students must meet to earn high school diplomas, credentials and endorsements. They will also work to adopt emergency regulations regarding the requirements students must normally meet to earn a Regents diploma. 

The New York State United Teachers Union issued the following response to Tuesday's announcement:

“Given the unevenness of this school year with the pandemic still ongoing and the acute social-emotional needs of our students, canceling the January Regents exams is the right choice. We thank Commissioner Rosa, Chancellor Young and the Board of Regents for recognizing that our educators are still assessing their students, preparing them to receive their diplomas and setting them up for success after graduation without this round of state exams.” 

For more information from the New York State Education Department, click here.