State Teachers Union Calls Regents Exams 'Truly Traumatic' for Mismatch with Curriculum

Challenges with the 2025 Regents Exams Spark Concerns

The recent administration of the 2025 Regents exams in biology and earth science has sparked widespread concern among students, parents, and educators. Many have expressed frustration over the tests’ content, which they claim does not align with what was taught in class. The new exams, titled “Life Science: Biology” and “Earth and Space Science,” replaced the previous “Living Environment” and “Physical Setting/Earth Science” assessments. However, this transition has led to confusion and dissatisfaction.

Educators and students alike have reported that the exams included topics and questions that were not part of their curriculum. This misalignment has caused significant stress and disappointment. According to NYSUT President Melinda Person, there have been numerous reports from members about the lack of alignment between the exams and the learning standards. She emphasized that such discrepancies create confusion and undermine confidence in the educational system.

One anonymous educator described the experience of administering the earth science exam as “truly traumatic.” The teacher noted that the test did not encourage a love for science but instead focused on reading speed and endurance. “This test doesn’t teach kids to love science, it taught them that if they are a good reader and can work fast then they passed,” the educator wrote.

Many students struggled to complete the exams, with some working until the final seconds. There were instances of tears and heartache, with one teacher stating, “That’s not school. That’s torture.” Another educator who supervised the biology exam mentioned that even students in an accelerated class had difficulty finishing. “Even with the reduced questions, the reading load was too much,” the teacher noted.

The earth science test also presented challenges, particularly in terms of reading comprehension. A Queens teacher who proctored the exam shared that students took the entire three hours to complete it. “I would argue they were not prepared. I’ve never seen students take that long on a test,” the teacher said. However, the teacher’s daughter, a student on Long Island, did not take the same exam, raising questions about whether city schools were used as a testing ground.

Students took to social media to voice their frustrations. One New York teen compared the biology exam to the previous year's earth science test, expressing confusion over the inclusion of topics like erosion and sand dunes. “Where the flip was meiosis, mitosis, mitochondria, reproduction, homeostasis?” another student asked on TikTok. Others lamented that the exam did not reflect what they had studied over the past ten months.

Despite the backlash, some experts argue that the outrage is misplaced. David C. Bloomfield, an education professor at Brooklyn College and the CUNY Graduate Center, pointed out that the testing culture often leads to feelings of betrayal when exams do not exactly match the published curriculum. He explained that the system is designed to ensure students perform well on exams, which results in any lack of preparation being seen as unfair.

The state education department, which oversees the Regents exams, has blamed NYC schools for not adapting their curriculum to the new standards. A spokesperson for the department, JP O’Hare, stated that the exams are aligned with the state’s learning standards. He added that not all schools have implemented the new standards with fidelity or at the same pace. O’Hare also mentioned that extensive materials have been provided to support teachers and students since the adoption of the new standards in 2016 and 2017.

As the debate continues, the challenges faced by students and educators highlight the need for better communication and alignment between curriculum and assessments. The experiences of those involved in the 2025 Regents exams underscore the importance of ensuring that tests accurately reflect what students have learned.