Framingham High updates program of studies, adopts local competency determination for diplomas

Framingham Public Schools’ Curriculum Subcommittee voted Jan. 14 to approve updates to Framingham High School’s program of studies and to forward to the full committee a new district competency determination that will allow students to earn a high school diploma by completing specified coursework or by meeting MCAS standards earned through the November retest.

The proposal, presented by Mark Oberg, ties the district’s competency determination to either MCAS passing scores (through the November retest) or successful completion of designated courses: English I and II (or equivalent) for ELA; Algebra I and Geometry (or equivalent) for mathematics; and biology, chemistry, physics (or equivalent) for science. "In order to graduate and earn a high school diploma from Framingham Public Schools, each student must accumulate a total of 22 credits and receive a competency determination," Oberg said.

The nut graf: the change responds to state-level shifts that removed MCAS as an automatic and sole competency determiner for graduation for students after this year’s retest; the district’s policy provides a local, coursework‑based path so students who did not meet MCAS thresholds may demonstrate competency through classroom work that aligns…