Marblehead committee adopts interim graduation competency plan for Class of 2025

The Marblehead School Committee voted to approve an interim competency determination for the graduating class of 2025 that lets students meet graduation requirements through course grades, an individualized portfolio, or MCAS-Alt if they have not already earned competency via MCAS.

Superintendent John Robidoux told the committee the proposal is a short‑term plan because of the tight timeline this year: "we want to make sure we were very specific that we have to come up with a plan for this year and the school communities to vote on it," he said. The committee added text clarifying the policy applies to the graduating class of 2025.

Under the plan approved by the committee, students in the Class of 2025 who have not obtained competency through MCAS may earn the district's competency determination by receiving passing grades and credits in the following courses: English 9 and English 10; Algebra 1 and Geometry; biology and one additional lab science course. Students who do not meet those course‑and‑grade criteria may create a portfolio demonstrating competency; MCAS‑Alt remains an available pathway.

Robidoux said the course‑based option aligns with the subjects MCAS historically assessed and noted the district plans a more comprehensive review for future graduating classes: "we will have more in‑depth conversations in the spring for the follow for next school year to determine, if we wanna look at, some different levels of rigor," he said.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about how the policy would apply to transfer students and how the district would handle students without time to complete a full year course. Robidoux and staff said the portfolio option is intended for those cases. A committee member asked whether the district is assuming consecutive levels of math when it lists four years of math in promotion requirements; staff confirmed the expectation is matriculation through successive levels appropriate to the student's program.

The committee approved the proposal by roll call. The vote was recorded as unanimous in favor. The superintendent said the district will continue conversations this spring about a possible different model for later classes and will monitor any changes coming from the state—he referenced ongoing discussions led by Governor Maura Healey's office about statewide competency determinations.

The committee also noted related upcoming agenda items, including review of the 2025–26 program of studies and other graduation and promotion requirements for future classes.

The policy approved at this meeting applies only to the graduating class of 2025; the committee plans additional discussion and possible revisions for subsequent years.