Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Curriculum topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
School committee approves Durfee program of studies; committee also approves competency review process and STEAM job description
Summary
The Fall River School Committee approved the Durfee High School program of studies, a revised competency-determination process for students lacking MCAS-based determinations, and a STEAM job description at its Feb. 10 meeting after discussion in the instructional subcommittee.
The Fall River School Committee voted to approve Durfee High School’s program of studies and several companion items on Feb. 10, following a referral from the instructional subcommittee.
Why it matters: The program of studies governs course offerings and the high school master schedule. Committee members debated whether the document should come as a first read to allow more time for review; the committee ultimately approved it by roll call, with five voting in favor and two opposed.
What the committee approved and why: - Durfee program of studies: Committee members referred the instructional subcommittee’s recommendations to the full committee and then approved the program of studies for implementation after discussion. Superintendent and instructional staff said the program seeks to broaden course options (including more CTE/CTE-style offerings), strengthen access to advanced coursework for underserved students and improve the senior‑year experience.
- STEAM job description: The committee approved a revised job description for STEAM positions intended to broaden hiring flexibility (to include arts and technology specialties) where previously a STEM title or narrower credential might have been used. Assistant Superintendent Brian Rapoza said the change is meant to increase the candidate pool and allow schools to deliver different curricular models under a common title.
- Competency determination for pre‑2025 candidates: The committee approved a proposal to treat prior course work as an alternative pathway for competency determination for students who had not previously earned it through MCAS. The approved approach allows students to meet competency determination if they have earned a passing grade in English 10 (or equivalent), in both Algebra I and Geometry (or equivalent), or in an equivalent high school lab science (biology/chemistry/physics). The item was described as retroactive through 2024 and aims to provide multiple routes to meet the state’s revised graduation standards.
Quotes and details: Assistant Superintendent Brian Rapoza said the STEAM description is an update of the existing STEM posting and “offers flexibility around what’s being taught there, curriculum wise, which should make it easier to fill roles and keep people in them.” On competency determinations, administrators described the approach as a transcript review that aligns course‑based evidence with state guidance.
Process and next steps: Committee members asked that staff continue to present program changes in ways that give teachers, counselors and families time to plan for master schedules and course selection. Several members recommended maintaining or restoring a two‑step (first read/second read) process for large curricular documents to allow schools to present the program and then return with adjustments.
Ending: With the approvals, Durfee’s administration may finalize scheduling and course offerings for the coming year; staff said some course changes will still be refined as counselors collect student requests in March.
