Advanced Regents stats vary for Malverne, W.H. grads

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The New York State Education Department reported on April 29 that 53.6 percent of graduating seniors on Long Island last year received Regents Diplomas with Advanced Designation, counting 47.7 percent more graduates than the previous year.

In the Malverne district, the share of 2013 graduates earning advanced diplomas rose to 47.1 percent, from 31 percent the prior year. Conversely, West Hempstead’s numbers dropped from 42 to 41 percent.

To receive an advanced diploma, students must score above a grade of 65 on state Regents exams in geometry, trigonometry and algebra. They must also pass a second Regents science exam and a foreign language exam.

Malverne Superintendent Dr. James Hunderfund noted how the district’s percentage of graduates with advanced diplomas used to be fairly low, but he now projects that over 50 percent of this year’s class will graduate at a higher level.

“It’s something that we’ve consciously worked toward and we see that children are responding to that challenge, and we’re really happy about it,” Hunderfund said. “I’d like to see it reach 100 percent some day, but we’ll take it one day at a time.”

In light of a minor drop in Advanced Regents graduates, West Hempstead Superintendent John Hogan said the district offers Regents review classes, frequent extra help sessions and meetings with students who struggle on a daily basis to help improve their performance.

“We’ve done our best to offer higher level Regents and Advanced Placement courses, which we anticipate will help advance those standards,” Hogan said. “The more [students] challenge themselves, the more they’ll see themselves succeed and fall in love with learning.”