Committee authorizes administration to adjust math program to meet new state graduation requirements

The Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical school committee voted unanimously on July 7 to authorize the administration to make adjustments to the district mathematics program of studies so incoming freshmen can meet new state graduation requirements that include an end-of-course assessment tied to Algebra II.

Superintendent (speaker label S3) told the committee the state issued guidance that requires end-of-course assessments for Algebra II and that the district must rework sequencing so students can take required assessments before senior year. The administration proposed a four-step implementation plan: revise program-of-studies listings, update course codes, revise curriculum in Atlas (the district’s curriculum repository), and develop a staff communication and notification plan for the coming year.

Under the proposal, many students would take a concentrated Algebra I year in ninth grade with a companion “algebra strategies” support course for those who need it; the plan calls for geometry in tenth grade and Algebra II (with supports) in junior year for students on the more advanced track. For students currently in the district’s CP2 (lower-level math), the district would move from splitting algebra across two years to a single, intensive year with double periods of math for some students.

Committee members pressed for clarity about which students would receive additional periods and how the district would communicate changes to the incoming class. Alice Deluca (label S4) and others emphasized the timeline pressure: because there is no August meeting, the administration must share changes with incoming freshmen and families soon. The committee’s motion — moved by Alice Deluca (S4) and discussed at length — authorized staff to continue the work and return later with specific program-of-studies revisions for formal votes.

The superintendent and principals said a small team (math lead, math teacher, guidance lead, principal) has already met and will continue work through the year to finalize course sequencing and supports. No specific changes to graduation diplomas or credit totals were voted tonight; the motion authorizes the administration to prepare and implement the curricular and scheduling changes required by state guidance. The vote was recorded as nine in favor.

Next steps: administration will complete the program-of-studies revisions, post updates in Atlas, and provide written communications to incoming students and families prior to fall enrollment. The committee noted the work will require coordination with scheduling and capital/finance committees because some students will need additional in-school instructional time.