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Policy subcommittee approves revised high‑school promotion and graduation policy
Summary
The Quincy School Committee policy subcommittee reviewed edits to Policy 9.11.5 on high‑school promotion and graduation requirements, discussed handbook cross‑references, COVID‑era community‑service language and differences between Quincy High and North Quincy scheduling, and voted to accept the policy as amended.
The Quincy School Committee policy subcommittee voted to accept revisions to School Committee Policy 9.11.5 on high‑school promotion and graduation requirements at its Wednesday meeting.
The revisions, presented by Dr. Perkins, clarify the policy's structure and add cross‑references to school handbooks for details on academic credits, career and vocational technical education (CVTE) attendance, and the world language waiver. Perkins told the subcommittee she had met with department heads, followed up with those who could not attend, and consulted Gail Cavallo, president of the Quincy Educators Association.
Subcommittee members discussed several specific edits. They asked that the policy explicitly point readers to the Quincy High School and North Quincy High student handbooks for program‑level details such as required credit or point breakdowns. Members also recommended tidying COVID‑era language under the community‑service requirement; the revised draft keeps a limited reference to the class of 2025 as that cohort was subject to modified hours during the pandemic but otherwise restores pre‑pandemic service expectations.
Committee members noted and corrected two other items: the minimum number of school days for seniors is 168 (the draft previously referenced 165) and the policy should explain why point requirements differ between North Quincy and Quincy High. Staff explained the difference is driven by school schedules and the number of class periods (Quincy High operates an eight‑period day, which affects how credits/points are earned) and suggested adding a brief explanatory note in the policy text.
Members also asked that the policy indicate which activities count for the physical education requirement. Perkins said the district counts marching band and ROTC toward the semester physical‑education requirement because those are scheduled classes during the school day; however, afterschool athletics do not count because that is set by state regulation.
After discussion, a motion to accept the revised policy as amended was made and seconded and the committee recorded the motion as approved (Aye). Members discussed next steps for placing the policy before the full school committee.
The subcommittee did not change substantive graduation standards in the draft beyond clarifying references to handbooks, adding a world‑language waiver already described in school handbooks, restoring pre‑pandemic community‑service expectations for cohorts after 2025, and correcting days‑in‑session language. Perkins said department heads and QEA leadership had been consulted during drafting.
