Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Graduation Requirements topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Triton committee updates graduation policy (IKF) to reflect post‑Question 2 competency determination
Summary
The committee approved revisions to policy IKF in a single reading to align local graduation rules with the new state competency-determination approach after Question 2 removed MCAS as the sole pathway.
The Triton Regional School Committee voted Feb. 12 to approve revisions to policy IKF, updating local graduation requirements and documenting how students will earn a competency determination now that the statewide ballot measure (Question 2) removed MCAS as the sole pathway.
What changed: The revised policy aligns the district handbook and certificate process with current practice (for example, switching credit reporting to Carnegie units) and adds language that specifies how students may earn a competency determination: completion of English 9 and English 10 (or equivalent), completion of Algebra I and Geometry (or equivalent), and completion of Biology, Physics, Chemistry, or Technology (or equivalent). The policy also clarifies transcript‑review procedures for students who did not previously earn the MCAS-based competency determination.
Why it matters: Question 2 eliminated MCAS as the statewide graduation requirement and required districts to provide an alternate competency determination. District counsel reviewed the draft and, noting limited state guidance so far, advised this approach as consistent with Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) FAQs and the “spirit” of the law. Administrators told the committee the policy is designed to avoid holding students back because of the statutory change.
Process and caveats: District counsel Michael Joyce reviewed the draft and told the committee there is not yet definitive DESE regulatory guidance beyond FAQs. Administrators acknowledged that other districts are taking varied approaches and that the governor’s task force may change details later; the policy is intended to be implemented now to ensure seniors are not denied diplomas because of the change.
Committee action: A committee member moved to approve the revisions to policy IKF as a first and final reading; the motion was seconded and approved in the Feb. 12 meeting.
Clarifying details: The district will continue to require its full set of local graduation requirements; competency determination is a separate certification process tied to the subject areas formerly assessed by MCAS. The policy allows equivalencies and transcript review for transfer students and students with non‑standard coursework.
Ending: The administration will implement the updated IKF policy and follow up if the state issues formal regulations that require further revision.
