Norwalk committee advances 2025 high‑school program of study; sends course proposals to full board

Norwalk, Conn. — The Board of Education curriculum committee on Jan. 14 voted to send a slate of new and revised high‑school courses and pathway changes to the full board for consideration, after presentations from district administrators and high‑school leaders.

Rob Pennington, assistant superintendent of schools, opened the meeting and said, “So tonight we are gonna be talking about our high school program of study.” The committee discussed changes to graduation requirements, a new district dual‑enrollment initiative called Bear Tracks to College, proposed new career and STEM courses across the four high schools, and expansions to International Baccalaureate (IB) offerings. Committee members then approved a motion to forward the proposals to the board; the motion passed by voice vote.

Why this matters: The package would reshape course access and college credit opportunities for juniors and seniors, add career‑focused classes that connect to local employers, and adjust graduation requirements that the state Department of Education recently revised.

The committee reviewed graduation‑requirement changes and the district’s recommendation to keep the previously required capstone as an optional offering in the program of studies. Pennington said the capstone — which had been a state requirement for the class of 2023 but is no longer required by the state — is “beneficial for students,” and the district proposes to list it as an option rather than a mandatory requirement. Committee members confirmed the district will keep the capstone available; the transcript records officials saying the capstone carries 1 high‑school credit.

Board membe…