[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6345640,"mediaKeyId","2248728-5ba0bbfdf9ec70bce777edd895f8be77","parentId",2248728,"title","Subcommittee approves Durfee Program of Studies; STEAM job description and competency-determination proposals referred","audioSeconds",2490,"startMs",2484000,"endMs",4974000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2248728-5ba0bbfdf9ec70bce777edd895f8be77&start=2484&end=4974","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2248728-5ba0bbfdf9ec70bce777edd895f8be77/thumbnail_2484000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6345640/Massachusetts/Subcommittee-approves-Durfee-Program-of-Studies-STEAM-job-description-and-competency-determination-proposals-referred","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6345640-74b30a6361376b6f369f4c83eaf400c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445701&Signature=oX30WHB03b01~TH8yiP19lJVPlh4~PiIPOH7NU0GBbXxiay2f7vu5dgWCF5nJ9B6iVvDvlVwsQQoQNWL5sJPdVn8HC6SEFKwSJKEwDfluc0372wDGrtyjZ5cGzhitZgyZgowpOku8~blVLSDSxumNOcZpTjziWAhP493L4S6vGPfz3uURlvmsvgCoRQfp7q6mOFFI~SKNFSf9jo14tiVw5CWeJel3JPpXAewjKloDi4uzU4CFjQgH2JIPBIvZH3qo60GSiKnp4OKdo-nbf3B3bcSWbILwamtih24S4gVH8zjwITvUZbI-5iiFYv-uX17SNs9BsVvCPCSGFono9vV8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fall River Public Schools, MA","date","2025-02-07T18:51:47Z","article","The Fall River Public Schools Instructional Subcommittee discussed proposed changes to Durfee High School’s Program of Studies on Feb. 5 and approved the program after debate; the subcommittee also voted to refer a revised STEAM job description and a competency-determination proposal for the Class of 2025 to the full School Committee.

Durfee administrators and curriculum leaders described several substantive changes they proposed for the Program of Studies, citing goals to strengthen math and science coursework, broaden access for multilingual learners (MLL), expand co-taught and newcomer options, and enhance the twelfth-grade experience.

Doctor J (Durfee administrator) and Doctor Stevens (district curriculum leader) outlined the proposed senior-year changes: a recommended minimum of 15 credits in senior year to encourage sustained engagement and a new senior elective structure focused on competency and real-world skills. Doctor Stevens said the proposed senior elective — described as “achieving the vision of a graduate” or an adulting/life-skills workshop — would emphasize communication, critical thinking, financial literacy and postsecondary planning; the course would be term-based and driven in part by student interest.

The district proposed additional steps to increase access for MLLs, including expanded coursework to support language development and a possible interpreter/medical interpreting early-college pathway tied to labor-market demand. Leaders outlined pilots in fashion design, advanced manufacturing/textiles and partnerships to place seniors in paid internships with local manufacturers; staff said at least 10 seniors would have spring paid internships as a small pilot.

Committee members raised equity and accessibility questions. One member asked why African American studies appears at the AP level but not at the college-preparatory level; staff replied that AP course listings are offers, not requirements, and agreed to explore offering African American studies at the college-preparatory level if demand exists. Members also pressed on broadening career-technical education (CTE) access and whether the district could create a “school within a school” or otherwise expand hands-on pathways; staff said they are piloting expanded access and developing employer partnerships.

After discussion, a motion to approve the Durfee Program of Studies passed. The meeting record shows a subsequent roll call on a related motion with recorded “Yes” votes by Mister Dias, Mister Corey and Miss Barbee; the presenters confirmed the program packet included proposed text for textile and other pilot offerings.

The subcommittee also considered a revised job description to broaden a current STEM position into a STEAM role (to include visual arts and technology). Members voted to refer the STEAM job description to the full committee for consideration and potential hiring action; staff said the position would be for K–12 and that salary would follow the collective-bargaining teaching contract.

Finally, the subcommittee discussed a competency-determination proposal for the Class of 2025 and earlier cohorts who lack MCAS-based competency determination. District staff proposed a transcript-review pathway allowing individuals who did not earn competency via MCAS to qualify if they can show passing grades in the equivalent courses: English 10 (or equivalent), algebra 1 and geometry (or equivalent sequences), and a biology/chemistry/physics equivalent. Staff said equivalent coursework could include integrated-math sequences and that transcript audits would be used to identify equivalencies. The subcommittee voted to refer the competency-determination proposal to the full committee for final approval; staff said the district could later consider offering instructional options or retests at the district or individual cost to help candidates meet requirements.

Why it matters: The Program of Studies sets curricular options and graduation expectations for Durfee students; the competency-determination referral could allow many former students to receive diplomas by transcript review rather than retesting. STEAM staffing changes would affect hiring and course availability across the district.

Votes at a glance
- Program of Studies (Durfee High School) — motion to approve: outcome recorded as approved by voice vote; later roll-call entries in the transcript show recorded “Yes” votes from Mister Dias, Mister Corey and Miss Barbee (transcript audio). Mover/second: not specified in audio record.
- STEAM job description — motion to refer to full committee: outcome referred by voice vote; mover/second not specified in audio record.
- Competency-determination proposal (class of 2025 and earlier cohorts) — motion to refer to full committee for consideration and implementation details: outcome referred by voice vote; mover/second not specified in audio record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2.5.2025 Fall River School Committee - Instructional Subcommittee","oneSentenceSummary","On Feb. 5 the Instructional Subcommittee discussed proposed changes to Durfee High School’s program of studies — including new AP and senior-year reforms and expanded CTE access — approved the program of studies, and voted to refer a revised STEAM job description and a competency-determination proposal for the class of 2025 to the full committee.","taxTitle","Fall River Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",13236,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6345646,"Durfee Early College program reports enrollment growth, broader higher-education partnerships",1787,355000,2142000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2248728-5ba0bbfdf9ec70bce777edd895f8be77&start=355&end=2142","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2248728-5ba0bbfdf9ec70bce777edd895f8be77/thumbnail_355000.jpg","/articles/6345646/Massachusetts/Durfee-Early-College-program-reports-enrollment-growth-broader-higher-education-partnerships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6345646-e268db8fcd1f6b87d97530a5a174640c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445701&Signature=I9YVClfcEBr5qCRoBKkHjlkhkn0vONLqaeiQuDsXmYMceQG4pN~MetGIvnwxvUAWByPFOj5t1ANmi7OoxXcxa36RjoEOZ1D~pSnHeMRtyw5np2lmUlKwfJ3q4OLvLWMfYSn1hG0HHmtQ5-ojkNWLhhRdKKWRG0rf5MOHic0Ipoc4UUiGsC2LNc0V4TqmzPVtQy4yGXNi3p5esB03irXBcU0UVnvTjxfQw4wPyp2CW2B7Jl3XnskAZE6Lub3OVWbgXVqHVV3kpetM5Q1ZubNvgwBfi6VnpVga2eecFlVmiC7prx7-AyqCFfmHAP61v~0RuNQNfhcaFxxwbSQXFpq5jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Durfee High School’s Early College program has expanded since a pilot in 2022 and now enrolls a growing share of 10th–12th graders while delivering college credits during the school day, Fall River Public Schools staff told the district Instructional Subcommittee on Feb. 5.

Emma Jacinto, the district’s early college coordinator and counselor, said the program currently runs 22 college-level classes delivered through partnerships with UMass Dartmouth, Bristol Community College and Bridgewater State University and is staffed by four dedicated district employees plus classroom teachers who receive stipends to co-teach or support the courses. “All classes are taken during the normal school day,” Jacinto said, which staff said helps remove barriers for students with family or extracurricular obligations.

The program targets students underrepresented in higher education — including multilingual learners, first-generation college students and economically disadvantaged students — and pairs credit-bearing coursework with mandatory supports such as advising, tutoring and an early-college seminar. Jacinto said the model intentionally omits strict course prerequisites; eligibility considers multiple academic measures, attendance and student interest.

Program staff reported growth after the pilot year. Presenters said enrollment has increased about 78 percent over the last two years and that the program now reaches roughly 20 percent of students in grades 10 through 12. Jacinto told the subcommittee that 233 12th-grade students were “actively taking credit-bearing coursework” this spring, and that 87 percent of Durfee’s class of 2024 earned 12 or more college credits. The staff goal is to ensure that all participating students take at least 12 credits during their pathway; typical pathways can reach 18–21 credits, staff said.

District staff described six pathways aligned to local higher-education strengths and labor-market demand: business, health sciences, education and social services, criminal justice, STEM/engineering and art/fashion. UMass Dartmouth, Boston-area partners and Bristol Community College provide course instruction while Durfee staff support co-teaching, tutoring and advising. Tracy (UMass Dartmouth representative) described campus visits and college “acculturation” activities intended to familiarize high school students with college life and reduce transition barriers.

OneGoal and other partners support college planning, advising and persistence work. A OneGoal representative told the committee the organization embeds multi-year advising in participating schools and helps students complete key steps such as FAFSA; Jacinto reported a FAFSA completion rate of 91 percent for Durfee’s class of 2024, compared with a statewide average of about 54 percent reported by staff. District staff said FAFSA completion is the single best predictor they track for college enrollment and persistence.

Subcommittee members asked about expansion, transferability and staffing. Staff said the program maintains a wait list of about 20 students and that the district is aiming to add roughly 20 more students next year while growing sustainably to preserve supports. School Committee members asked whether technical schools such as New England Institute of Technology or partnerships with Mass Maritime and other technical providers had been explored; staff said they had discussed potential technical partnerships and would consider transferability so credits follow students who change plans.

Presenters emphasized student supports: the district runs a school-embedded MTSS (multi-tiered system of supports) for early college, uses JFY Network for tutoring, and holds weekly data-review meetings to provide 1-on-1 interventions. Staff also highlighted faculty-to-faculty collaboration with higher-education department chairs to align prerequisites and course sequencing.

Why it matters: District staff framed Early College as a strategy to increase college enrollment and credential attainment in a city where postsecondary completion has lagged. Staff noted Massachusetts labor-market data showing a majority of jobs requiring postsecondary credentials and said the program’s combination of coursework and wraparound supports aims to raise opportunity and credential attainment for Durfee students.

Subcommittee action: This item was an informational update; no formal vote was taken. Staff said they plan a larger spring presentation with students and faculty to showcase outcomes and student voices.","Fall River Public Schools officials told the Instructional Subcommittee that the Durfee High School Early College program has grown enrollment, added pathways with UMass Dartmouth, Bristol Community College and Bridgewater State, and shows early outcomes including a high FAFSA completion rate for the class of 2024.","actionData","errors"]

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Subcommittee approves Durfee Program of Studies; STEAM job description and competency-determination proposals referred

Durfee Early College program reports enrollment growth, broader higher-education partnerships