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District pilots competency-based attendance waiver at high school, staff say
Summary
District staff said the high school is piloting a competency-based attendance waiver this semester that can award course credit based on demonstrated mastery rather than seat time; eligibility will be reviewed by a school committee and data will be collected for evaluation at semester end.
Alyssa Cox explained to the board that the district is piloting a competency-based attendance waiver at the high school this semester that allows students to "demonstrate mastery of course standards in lieu of seat time," provided they meet documentation and academic criteria. The waiver is limited to high‑school credit-bearing courses and is designed to address extenuating circumstances such as medical issues, custody matters or significant hardships.
Staff said the waiver process is application-based: students and parents complete a CBA application and a school-based competency committee — which may include a counselor, MTSS lead, assistant principal and teacher — reviews records, grades and any submitted portfolio of work before eligibility is determined. Director-level staff emphasized that the waiver is not intended to be an "easy button" to clear absences and that the committee will apply guardrails and require evidence.
Board members asked how the waiver originated and whether other districts are using a similar approach. Staff said the district received a competency-based waiver from the state and that while the district was one of two originally approved, it is currently the only district implementing the full competency components. Staff said the district will track data this semester to see how many students successfully earn credit through the process and will report findings and any recommended adjustments to the board after credits are awarded.
Questions from board members focused on scope and safeguards: who reviews applications, what documentation is acceptable and whether the waiver could be misused. Staff responded that decisions will not be made by a single person and that the committee will consider evidence and final grades; if final grades fall below a threshold, the committee may examine a student portfolio of completed work.
The board requested a follow-up report at the end of the semester summarizing how many students were affected and the academic outcomes of those decisions.
