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Superintendent outlines regional agreement steps, competency determination and firefighter program
Summary
The superintendent updated the Quabbin Regional School District School Committee on regional agreement work with towns, state competency-determination changes (MassCore / MCAS) and a shared firefighter training program for high-school students that will provide CPR certification and other credentials.
Superintendent remarks on Jan. 9 covered the district's work on a regional agreement and on the state's evolving competency determination for high‑school graduation, and included an update on a new cooperative firefighter program for upper‑grade students.
The superintendent said the district is sending the regional agreement to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for review so the state can flag any areas of concern before the committee finalizes changes. She said counsel and an experienced attorney who has previously facilitated regional agreement updates reviewed the draft and recommended submitting it early to reduce later surprises during state review.
On competency determination, the superintendent said state guidance is changing and districts must define how students will demonstrate competency in 10th‑grade level math, ELA and science. The district expects to develop multiple pathways — including portfolios or alternate demonstrations of learning — while noting the MassCore framework remains a possible path and the MCAS testing regime will still be administered; the superintendent said, "We could choose to say MCAS is going to remain our competency determination." Committee members discussed the transitional complexity and timelines for establishing district standards.
Administratively, the superintendent reported a new firefighter training program offered to 10th–12th graders across the five towns. Enrollment reached 36 students, above an initial capacity of 24; the program will provide CPR certification and other credentials and may allow seniors who want to volunteer as firefighters to do so after completion.
The committee approved sending notices to municipal partners to identify representatives for the regional agreement working group; legal counsel and the superintendent will lead the process and return with dates and next steps.
