For some, the Regents tests have provided a clear focus for their academic efforts.

A total of 13,489 took and passed the state's exam in the subject, called the Regents test.

Just 30.8 percent of juniors passed the state's Regents test in reading and writing this year.

"Right now, we're just dealing with the Regents tests," he said.

But anyone who did not pass the Regents test was immediately removed from consideration.

Students at only 13 of the 30 new high schools that opened in 1993 took even one state Regents test in 1993-1994.

The Regents tests are devised for college-bound high school students.

All that started to change with Regents tests in June 2002.

They will also be able to take the competency exam the first year that a new Regents test is offered.

If the Regents test is valid and reliable, there should be no dichotomy.