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Rockport adopts state‑aligned competency determination policy; GEMS filing due this month
Summary
The school committee approved an updated competency determination (CD) policy aligned to DESE’s new high‑school framework; the policy includes alternate demonstrations of mastery, accommodations for students with disabilities, an appeals process, and a GEMS filing deadline of Dec. 31.
The Rockport School Committee unanimously approved an updated competency determination policy that aligns district practice with the state’s new high‑school readiness guidance, Jody Goodhue, director of teaching and learning, told the board.
“This policy is due into GEMS, by December 31,” Goodhue said, referring to the state grant management system where districts upload competency determination policies for review and tracking.
Goodhue said the updated policy reflects DESE’s framework after the ballot change that removed MCAS as a statewide graduation requirement: districts must define how students demonstrate mastery (end‑of‑course assessments, culminating projects, portfolios or district‑determined equivalents) and make accommodations under IDEA and FAPE for students with disabilities. The policy adds an appeals process that begins with the teacher and curriculum coordinator and can escalate to district leadership for final determination.
The policy also clarifies how out‑of‑district students placed for special education services will meet Rockport’s CD requirements and noted a potential one‑time pathway for previously enrolled students who did not earn diplomas under MCAS rules to request a diploma using the new CD standard; Goodhue said the district currently has no such applicants.
Motion and vote: the policy subcommittee recommended approval and the full committee moved, seconded and approved both the competency determination and the middle‑school pathway policy as presented.
