School committee approves alternate competency determination for Class of 2025 as high school leaders point to curriculum gains

The New Bedford School Committee voted unanimously to approve an alternate competency determination for the Class of 2025 that relies on passing coursework and district‑approved, evidence‑based assessments aligned to grade‑level standards in Algebra I, Geometry, English Language Arts (grade 10) and a lab science (biology or physics).

Committee member Christopher Carter moved the motion; the motion was seconded and approved by roll call (Ross Grace, Christopher Carter, Jack Livimento, Bruce Olivera, Colleen DeWicke, Melissa Costa and Mayor John Mitchell all voted “Yes”). The motion specifies that a passing grade (anything other than an F) in the listed courses, supported by assessments tied to the district’s high‑quality instructional materials (HQIM), will satisfy the competency determination requirement for students in the Class of 2025. The committee recorded the vote in open session.

School leaders told the committee the competency decision follows a year of curricular and operational changes at New Bedford High School they say are improving instruction and access. Principal Cardoza, Manager of Educator Quality Miss Souza and Associate Principal Mr. Longo outlined recent investments and practices they cite as evidence of progress:

- Instructional materials: Year‑one implementation of Odell ELA curriculum and year‑one use of Carnegie Learning in math; science piloting OpenSci units; ELD curriculum adoptions (English 3D, Get Ready, Vista Higher Learning, Language Launch) and other HQIM adoptions across content areas. - Facilities and learning spaces: Massachusetts Life Sciences Center funds used to modernize two chemistry labs; a new senior lounge; updated college and career center; a modernized sensory room. - Scheduling and supports: A weekly “what I need” (WIN) block for targeted student supports, expanded co‑taught sections (including honors/AP co‑taught sections) and a plan for a MyFlex scheduling tool to allow student choice and better tracking of interventions and extracurricular participation. - Partnerships and capacity building: External partners cited include TNTP (New Teacher Project), Worcester Polytechnic Institute for science, Blue Engine for co‑teaching supports, and early‑college expansion; the principal said about 50 students now participate in the early college pathway, more than double a year ago.

The district also described recent external validation: an associate commissioner’s visit and a targeted monitoring visit in December that praised the school’s focus on English learners and instructional coherence. School leaders said the district will form a committee to review grading guidelines and ensure consistency in what “passing” means across classrooms; they noted state regulators are continuing to work on a statewide competency framework and the district will align with those future regulations as needed.

The committee asked about mechanics for showing mastery. School staff said that mastery will be shown through course grades (anything other than an F), unit and performance assessments that accompany the HQIM, lab work for science, essays and other district‑approved assessments. Staff emphasized they are tracking individual students who have not yet met competency and are providing targeted supports to bring them to standard in time for graduation.

Ending: The committee approved the alternate competency determination for the Class of 2025 and asked school leaders to continue reporting progress — particularly the number of students mapped to remediation or acceleration plans and the outcomes of targeted assessments — as the district awaits any additional state guidance on long‑term graduation standards.