Lynn schools adopt separate graduation and competency determination policies; specific course requirements set for class of 2027

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…