At the July 2025 Board of Regents Meeting, the Board officially adopted the New York State Portrait of a Graduate (POG), a key milestone of the NY Inspires initiative. This Portrait establishes a unifying vision for what it means to be a high school graduate in New York State, outlining the essential skills, knowledge, and dispositions every student should develop to succeed in college, careers, civic life, and beyond.

• This adoption does not change current graduation requirements.
• The Portrait will become a statewide requirement beginning with students entering Grade 9 in 2029–30.
• NYSED will release additional implementation guidance by Summer 2027.