Mamaroneck Dumps Physics Regents:
Reaction From Students & Regents

by Judy Silberstein

(October 1, 2003) Mamaroneck students will have one fewer Regents exam to worry about next June: effective immediately MHS is dropping the Regents Physics exam.

“The June 2004 Physics Regents will not be offered to students presently registered in ‘Regents Physics’ classes,” wrote MHS Science Department Head Fred Levine in a letter released on Tuesday, September 30.

Students will study most of the same Regents topics, but the three MHS physics instructors will be devising their own midterm and final examinations. “The level of the tests will be comparable to those of the Regents, but will be better instruments in determining what the student has actually accomplished,” wrote Levine.

MHS physics students expressed mixed feelings about the change. Junior Vincent Halbwachs was relieved. “I think it’s a good idea that they’re changing from regents to college preparatory physics – students won’t have to worry about passing the Regents exam,” he said. “You see everywhere that many people failed miserably last year.”

Prior to 2001 when the new exam was offered, almost every MHS physics student passed the test every year; in 2002 the pass rate dropped to approximately 80%. (see: Unprecedented Failure); and then bounced back up to around 95% in 2003 (see: Most MHS Students Pass)

Another Junior, Bill Fuller, also supported the change. “I’ve never given much credit to the validity of the Regents exams,” he said. “Since the Physics Regents exam is optional (for graduation), I don’t really see a problem with dropping it if the teachers feel they can put together a more comprehensive exam.”

Junior Pete Williams had a different view. “Personally, I like Regents exams – the teachers’ final is likely to be harder. It just means more work,” he predicted. “I guess I’ll just have to work harder,” he concluded.

The MHS move comes after two years of a controversial new exam that engendered statewide criticism from teachers and physicists. Superintendents from around the state are considering dropping the exam (see: Physics), and Mamaroneck parents appeared supportive of the change when the possibility was raised last week at a PTSA meeting.

"Obviously the decision not to give the Regents exam in Physics was made after a thorough analysis and discussion of the past two Regents exams in Physics,” said Principal Mark Orfinger. “We are confident that the new physics course will meet the needs of our students, will be academically challenging, and will provide performance assessments that more accurately reflect the achievements of our students in this rigorous course,” he added.

“I’m saddened,” said Regent Saul Cohen, when apprised of Mamaroneck’s move. “This is a big worry,” said the Regent whose grandchildren attend Mamaroneck schools

Cohen did not defend the State program, course or exam. According to Cohen, the Regents never approved State Education Department (SED) changes that upped the level of the course from “introductory” to “advanced.”

“When we passed the Regents exam, there was never the thought that it was anything other than a rigorous, introductory level course, like the others,” he said. “If students want a more advanced course, they would go on to AP Physics.”

He pointed out that students only need two years of high school math (A & B) before taking Regents Physics, but they need an additional year (Pre-Calculus) before entering AP Physics, and one more (Calculus) before taking AP Physics C.

However, the Regents are not unanimous on this point. Some would prefer a more advanced course – as long as the exam and the course are in alignment.

But Cohen also criticized the exam.

“My conclusion is that there is something wrong with the test.” He pointed to ambiguous questions, lack of alignment with the curriculum, and improper scaling.” In his opinion, the 2003 exam should be rescaled so students can get a fairer grade.

“For those students who don’t want the grade reported, it should be nullified,” he suggested. There should also be a syllabus. “It think it’s absolutely necessary,” he said.

Physics will be on the Board of Regents agenda in the months to come, and Regent Cohen’s ideas will be considered. But at MHS, Regents Physics is out of the picture for now.

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