Committee begins DESE‑required competency determination work and outlines CTE exploration policy for middle school

Beverly school leaders briefed the committee on new DESE requirements for documenting competency determination and on draft guidance for middle‑school career and technical education (CTE) exploration.

Curriculum staff explained DESE is asking districts to specify coursework that will count toward competency determination in required subjects: two years of English language arts, two years of math (including algebra I or geometry), one year of science (biology, chemistry, physics, or tech/engineering), and U.S. history for the class of 2027. The district must also describe measures it will use to determine mastery in each subject and provide accommodations or alternate procedures for English‑language learners, students with disabilities and late‑enrolling students.

Superintendent Kenan McKenzie DeFranza said the district will convene a work group to draft the detailed policy language and asked for a school committee volunteer; a member volunteered to serve. The timeline given to the committee was to have committee review and, if possible, full‑committee adoption by December to meet DESE expectations.

On CTE exploration, staff outlined a new requirement to make middle‑school students aware of Chapter 74 programs (regional vocational-technical programs) via onsite visits, mail/email notices and updates on the middle‑school public website. The district plans to continue coordinating tours and outreach with Essex Tech, and to seek an extension from DESE for a November 1 deadline so staff can fully develop the policy and logistics.

The committee directed staff to form the drafting group, develop measures for mastery and bring proposed language back for review at an upcoming meeting.