Committee approves updated competency‑determination policy for class of 2026 with attorney edits requested

The Curriculum & Program subcommittee recommended that the full school committee approve updated competency‑determination (CD) requirements to comply with recent Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidance (603 CMR 30).

District presenters summarized a timeline of regulatory changes: a November 2024 ballot question removed MCAS as the sole basis for competency determination; BESE amended regulations and DESE issued guidance in July 2025. Staff said the district must submit its CD policy to DESE by Dec. 31, 2025 and may be audited for compliance.

Key recommended changes described by staff for the class of 2026 and beyond include: demonstration of mastery through satisfactory completion of coursework (district grading policy), capstone/portfolio or equivalent measures; two years of ELA (may be any two years among grades 9–12 though graduation requires four years), two years of mathematics specifically algebra I and geometry, and one year of lab science or an engineering/technology course. Social studies requirements (U.S. history) will be added beginning with the class of 2027.

Board members raised concerns about the district policy that currently defines a D‑ as passing. Members asked staff to provide data on how many students would be affected, how many are exceptional learners, and the implications for athletics, scholarships and postsecondary readiness. Staff described recovery and mastery alternatives (summer school, night school, portfolios, AP/dual enrollment), accommodations for MLs and students with IEP/504 plans, and an appeals process with twice‑yearly review cycles. Staff also said former graduates who apply for review must meet the CD policy in effect when they apply.

An attorney in the meeting recommended adding language to the policy or companion document describing the limited circumstances in which MCAS scores may be used (for transfer students lacking transcripts), citing DESE guidelines and the DESE checklist. District staff said they will include that language in a companion document and incorporate attorney markups before the full committee. A motion to approve the policy contingent on attorney edits passed on roll call in the subcommittee (Miss Monroe Naylor: Yes; Attorney Murphy: Absent; Miss Hurst: Yes). The recommendation will move to the full school committee for final approval.