Franklin committee advances graduation, competency policies to second reading after clarifying language

The Franklin School Committee voted to move two district policies on graduation requirements and local competency determination to a second reading after members amended the language to clarify how students meet competency and to request more specific proficiency benchmarks.

Dr. Rogers, who presented the proposed policies, said the local competency determination contains two parts: satisfactory completion of specified coursework and a demonstration of mastery certified by Franklin Public Schools. "To earn competency determination, a student must meet two criteria. They must satisfactory complete course work and show mastery," Dr. Rogers said, describing options for coursework and case-by-case provisions for students with disabilities and English learners.

Members pressed for clearer wording in IKFE so readers would not misinterpret bulleted lists as requiring every listed item. One member moved to amend IKFE to add specific proficiency values and to clarify that meeting one of the bulleted options under each subject would satisfy that subject's coursework requirement; that amendment passed by voice vote.

The committee also discussed the appeals process previously handled by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and noted the district will now facilitate local appeals. Dr. Rogers said the change shifts workload and potential costs to the district but that existing grading and appeals systems will be used; he did not provide a ballpark cost estimate.

The motion to move IKF (graduation requirements) and IKFE (competency determination) to a second reading as amended passed by voice vote. The committee chair said the items will return for a second reading in the next term.