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Board member proposes competency requirement for Stanfield diplomas
Summary
A staff member presented a draft policy proposing a competency component for graduation (beyond credit accumulation) and asked the board to review it over the summer for discussion in August and possible phased implementation beginning with a future class.
A district staff member presented a draft proposal asking the Stanfield SD 61 board to add a competency component to the district's graduation policy, saying the change would supplement credit accumulation with demonstrated competence in reading, writing and math.
The presenter said the change is intended to ensure diplomas reflect students' skills and recommended the board review a written draft over the summer for a fuller discussion in August. "I would like us to seriously consider changing the board policy to reflect a competency component to graduating and not just earning enough credits," the staff member said. The speaker proposed multiple ways to satisfy the competency, including state test scores (OSAS), MAP percentiles, and an in-house rubric with multiple attempts.
Board members debated the technical differences between MAP (interim, normed) and the state test (OSAS/SBAC, one end-of-year test), noting format differences and the effect of opt-outs on the state data. One board member urged a gradual rollout so families and staff have time to prepare, suggesting a phased start (for example, beginning with the class of 2028). The presenter also cited forming earlier retention meetings with families as a way to intervene before high school.
The board did not take formal action at the meeting; members asked for the presenter to refine the draft and return with more specific language and implementation details in August.
