Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Bellville discussed changes to graduation requirements and competency determination for Chicopee Public Schools during a Nov. 19 meeting.
Reminder Publishing file photo
CHICOPEE — Chicopee Superintendent Marcus Ware said the school district has several clarifying questions about a recently-released framework by the state that details expectations and requirements for every high schooler before they graduate.
In comments to Reminder Publishing, Ware said the city is still reviewing what the Healey-Driscoll sent in early December, and they working proactively to stay on the same page with any ongoing developments.
“Our goal is to ensure we remain aligned with state expectations while continuing to support our students effectively,” Ware stated.
As the state provides further guidance, Ware said, “we anticipate continued discussion at the district and School Committee levels to determine whether any additional adjustments will be necessary.”
Ware’s comments come after the Healey-Driscoll Administration recently released a framework of requirements that students must meet before they graduate. The proposed framework also aims to prepare students for success after graduation, according to the announcement, which came on Dec. 1.
The current state proposal lays out a core set of subject areas that all students must take and an assessment system that ensures schools are giving students the skills they need to set them up for graduation.
According to the statewide proposal, students would have to complete a set of coursework that aligns with admissions requirements for higher education.
To show that students have mastered the course content, students would also have to complete a limited number of end-of-course assessments and a capstone or portfolio.
Aside from those requirements, the statewide framework also says that students would make their own plan for college or career, complete the FAFSA or MASFA, learn financial literacy and earn seals of distinction.
The 10th grade MCAS exam would be phased out as a graduation requirement as part of this new framework.
On Nov. 19, the Chicopee School Committee approved new graduation requirements after Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and Accountability Jennifer Bellville met with the committee to discuss changes to the competency determination.
The School Committee and Policy Subcommittee approved the second reading of two new policies during that meeting months after a ballot question removed MCAS as a graduation requirement for graduating high school seniors across the state.
In Chicopee, current seniors, juniors and sophomores are required to accrue 110 credits, while freshman and beyond will be asked to achieve 120 credits.
The framework announced by the state is a first step in the process of updating graduation requirements. The Healey-Driscoll administration said they are committed to engaging with educators, parents and all stakeholders to finalize the details of their proposal.
Reminder Publishing also reached out to Holyoke Public Schools to get their reaction to the proposed framework, but they declined to comment.
