Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Graduation Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
School committee adopts new competency determination policy to replace MCAS graduation requirement
Summary
The committee suspended normal rules and adopted a revised graduation policy (IKF) establishing a competency determination based on course equivalencies to replace MCAS for future cohorts; retroactive diploma processes to be developed.
The Woburn School Committee voted Jan. 30 to adopt a revised graduation requirements policy (IKF) establishing a new competency determination to replace MCAS as the statewide graduation metric.
Background: Committee member Andrew Lipsett said state legislation ending MCAS as a graduation requirement requires districts to create alternate competency determinations. Curriculum and high school staff drafted policy language to align district credit requirements and to define a competency determination through course equivalencies and other measures.
Policy details: The revised policy uses tenth-grade'level equivalencies for competency determination in English and math and allows for algebra/geometry course equivalencies and science benchmarks consistent with the intent of the former MCAS framework. The policy preserves procedural safeguards: panel reviews and alternative pathways for students who are exceptions or special cases.
Procedure and retroactive diplomas: Committee discussion noted that districts must also work out procedures for retroactive diplomas for prior cohorts; administrators said staff are developing a process and will coordinate with surrounding districts and the state for consistency.
Vote and procedure: The committee first voted to suspend the normal policy-adoption timeline and then adopted policy IKF at the meeting. Members said parents and affected students would receive communications and that curriculum staff would follow up with procedure details for implementation.
Ending: Committee members asked for additional follow-up from the curriculum subcommittee on implementation details and timing for communications and retroactive diploma processing.
