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School Committee approves FHS program of studies and new local competency determination, 8-1
Summary
The committee approved the Framingham High School 2025–26 program of studies and a local competency determination (alternative to MCAS) after subcommittee review. Members asked for clearer written language about exemptions for students with IEPs or 504 plans.
The Framingham School Committee voted 8–1 on Wednesday to approve Framingham High School's 2025–26 program of studies and a local competency determination for graduation following changes to Massachusetts law.
The approved competency determination offers two paths to demonstrate graduation readiness: a passing score on high-school MCAS ELA/Math/Science tests or successful completion of specified course sequences (English 1 & 2; Algebra 1 & Geometry; Biology/Chemistry/Physics or equivalents) together with the district's credit requirements (22 credits). The change follows the November ballot question that removed MCAS as the only state graduation requirement and allows districts to use course-based equivalents.
Nut graf: The vote sets local graduation standards for Framingham High School while preserving flexibility for students with differing pathways; committee members requested clearer written guidance for exemptions and case-by-case equivalency reviews for students with IEPs and 504 plans.
Teaching and Learning Subcommittee Chair Judy Steyer outlined curriculum changes in multiple departments, including new electives (Modern Dance, Digital Art and Design, game design, web design), honors-level changes for ceramics and photography, expanded early-college offerings with MassBay and Framingham State University, and new Portuguese offerings aligned to middle-school courses.
Principal Mark Albright and executive staff told the committee there is no separate blanket exemption language in the competency determination beyond existing waivers for world language; instead, equivalency and special-education accommodations will be handled by department chairs and administration on an individual basis. Several committee members requested that such case-by-case procedures be added to the written program materials for clarity.
Motion and vote: The motion to approve the FHS program of studies and competency determination was moved by Valerie Adaviani and seconded by William LaBarge. Roll-call votes mapped to districts present: District 1 (Rich Robles) — Yes; District 2 (David Gordon) — Yes; District 3 (Jen Moshe) — Yes; District 4 (Adam Freudberg) — Yes; District 5 (Judy Steyer) — Yes; District 6 (Valerie Adaviani) — Yes; District 7 (Tiffany Maskell) — No; District 8 (Jessica Barnhill) — Yes; District 9 (William LaBarge) — Yes. Outcome: approved, 8–1.
Ending: Committee members asked staff to add explicit language about review processes for students with IEPs/504 plans and to return with any recommended clarifying edits before program materials are distributed to families.
