The Lynn School Committee approved a revised graduation-requirements policy (IKF) and a new competency-determination policy (IKFE) after discussion in the policy subcommittee and a full-committee vote. Attorney Charlie Gallo, Lynn Public Schools compliance officer, presented both policies and said the split responds to guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) following last year’s ballot question that removed MCAS as a universal graduation requirement.

The new rules separate coursework-based graduation requirements from a district’s competency determination, which DESE defines as a district certification that students “have demonstrated mastery in the areas measured formerly by MCAS,” Gallo said. The school committee approved the revised IKF and adopted the proposed IKFE, which lists multiple pathways a student may use to demonstrate competency.

Why it matters: Districts were required to adopt competency-determination policies that take effect for the current graduating class. Lynn’s approach preserves the district’s MassCore-aligned graduation framework while creating a separate policy that outlines how students may demonstrate mastery of the standards once measured by MCAS.

Key changes to graduation requirements (IKF): The revised IKF retains Lynn’s February 2024 MassCore alignment and removes competency language that had been added in January 2025. For students in the class of 2027, the district will require three years of history and social science with two of those years specifically fulfilled by U.S. history and world history. For lab-based science, the district requires three years of lab-based science, with two of those years to be biology and chemistry for the class of 2027; the district team characterized that as codifying existing practice. The district will also grandfather one year of the arts for students who had been subject to the earlier requirement, reversing a prior decision that did not grandfather that credit.

How competency (IKFE) will be determined: The new IKFE defines competency (CD) as demonstrated mastery in the subject areas previously measured by MCAS. Gallo summarized DESE’s playbook: “To show mastery, a student must successfully complete 1, a final assessment or 2, a capstone or 3, an equivalent measure identified in policy,” and noted that students who previously passed MCAS may retain that benefit. IKFE lists four primary pathways—prior MCAS passage, a final assessment, a capstone project, or an equivalent measure (the policy calls these “universal pathways”)—and gives the superintendent authority to designate additional pathways. The policy includes an appeals process and specifically allows case-by-case exceptions and special considerations for English learners and students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

Timeline and compliance: Gallo told the committee DESE originally set an October 31 deadline for districts to adopt separate competency and graduation policies; DESE later extended that deadline to December 31. He said Lynn’s team has been working under the earlier deadline to provide advance notice to seniors and families and to afford time for public feedback. Gallo also cautioned that DESE’s submission portal was not yet open, which could affect the district’s ability to file the policies immediately.

Local questions and clarifications: Committee members asked for specifics about which science courses meet the new lab-based requirement and how exceptions would operate. Gallo and district staff said the district recommends biology and chemistry as the two required lab-based courses for class of 2027 but noted there are exceptions (for example, applied chemistry for students on IEPs). Committee members also asked who can approve exemptions (the superintendent or designee) and how language about world language, arts and late-enrolling students will be applied in practice.

Formal actions: The policy subcommittee moved both items to the full committee; the full school committee later voted to adopt both IKF (revised graduation requirements) and IKFE (new competency determination policy). The votes were recorded by roll call at the full meeting and were passed by the committee.

What’s next: The district plans to post the policies for staff, students and families, accept feedback, and submit the competency determination policy to DESE when the state’s portal opens. District leaders said they expect to revisit and refine implementation details as DESE finalizes guidance and as the governor’s graduation council completes its work.

Ending note: District officials emphasized that the policies were designed to expand equitable pathways to demonstrate mastery and to minimize sudden changes for current seniors while aligning Lynn’s rules with state guidance.