School committee adopts revised IKF graduation criteria, delays new Title IX procedures pending further guidance
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Summary
The committee approved language to allow transcript‑based equivalencies for a local competency determination in lieu of MCAS graduation requirements and voted to hold off adopting newly proposed Title IX procedures until state and federal guidance stabilizes.
The Norwood School Committee voted Wednesday to update its graduation‑requirements policy (IKF) and separately agreed to delay adopting recently proposed Title IX procedural changes until further guidance from state and federal authorities.
Graduation policy: The committee approved adjustments to policy IKF to clarify local competency determination criteria for students in the graduating classes of 2026 and beyond. The revised language lists course equivalencies that the high school will use to certify competency: grade‑level English coursework (grades 9 and 10 or equivalent), Algebra I and Geometry (or equivalent) and a lab science such as biology, chemistry or physics (or equivalent). The policy also allows for a transcript review option where a course of study outside the standard course labels may be judged equivalent.
Dr. Galligan told the committee the policy updates are intended to allow the district to certify students based on coursework equivalence where state testing (MCAS competency determinations) no longer governs graduation standards. The committee approved the IKF update in a recorded vote that passed 3–1.
Title IX procedures: Separately, the committee considered administrative recommendations related to recently published federal Title IX regulations (issued in 2024 and later vacated by a federal district court). Given the legal uncertainty and the existence of Massachusetts nondiscrimination protections, the committee voted to "place these policies in abeyance until further guidance" and directed the administration to continue following the prior procedures in place while awaiting updated guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
Why it matters: The IKF vote provides a district‑level path to certify graduation readiness based on local transcript review and course completion, which the administration said preserves flexibility for transfer students and non‑traditional program placements. The Title IX decision reflects legal uncertainty after recent federal rulemaking and court action, while Massachusetts law and forthcoming commissioner guidance remain in force and will continue to shape local practice.
Ending: Administration said it will incorporate the IKF language into the student handbook and will bring further Title IX procedural guidance to the committee once DESE and legal counsel provide clarified direction.