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Competency Determination

I. Purpose

This policy establishes the criteria students must meet to receive a Competency Determination (CD), in accordance with updated Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) regulations (603 CMR 30.00). The CD is required, in addition to local graduation requirements, for the awarding of a high school diploma.

II. Scope

This policy applies to all students enrolled in grades 9–12, beginning with the graduating class of 2026. Students who have met the competency determination standard in English language arts, mathematics or science prior to January 3, 2025, retain that benefit.

III. Competency Determination Requirements

To earn a Competency Determination, a student must satisfactorily complete coursework and demonstrate mastery of common core skills, competencies, and knowledge in the areas of English language arts, mathematics, and science.  Beginning with the class of 2027, this requirement will also include U.S. History.  

A. Coursework Requirements

The student has satisfactorily completed the following coursework. Satisfactory coursework completion is defined as earning a final grade of 65 or higher in the course.

  1. English Language Arts (ELA):
  • Satisfactory completion of coursework equivalent to two years of high school ELA.
  1. Mathematics:
    • Satisfactory completion of coursework equivalent to one year of Algebra I and one year of Geometry
  2. Science and Technology/Engineering (STE):
    • Satisfactory completion of coursework equivalent to one year of Biology, Chemistry, or Physics.
  3. U.S. History (beginning with Class of 2027):
    • Satisfactory completion of coursework equivalent to one year of U.S. History (U.S. History I and U.S History II).

B. Mastery of Common Core Skills, Competencies, and Knowledge

The student has satisfactory completed:

  • Passing score on a final assessment, capstone project, or portfolio as determined by the school’s academic departments.

IV. Students with Disabilities

Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School adheres to the legal requirement and educational philosophy that all students with disabilities shall receive a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and be educated in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).  FAPE is delivered through an educational program that is appropriately ambitious, offers the chance to meet challenging objectives, and is reasonably calculated to enable the student to make progress in light of their circumstances.  Accordingly, each student’s placement is determined by their individual IEP Team with the goal of ensuring that, to the maximum extent appropriate, the student is educated and has access to the general education curriculum and environment.  

To meet the Competency Determination (CD) requirements, students with disabilities enroll in courses and demonstrate mastery through the following pathways, as determined by their IEP Team:

General Education with Supports:

The primary pathway for students with disabilities is enrollment in general education courses.  They are supported by special educators who provide inclusion services and accommodations, through a co-taught model where a general education teacher and special education teacher team teach the class, or a co-supported model where a general education teacher teaches the class supported by a paraprofessional.

Alternative Demonstration of Mastery:

In accordance with district policy, an IEP team may determine that a student demonstrates competency through alternative or modified assessments.  These can include capstone projects, performance-based tasks, or portfolios of work that are aligned with state curriculum frameworks and documented in the student’s IEP.  

V. English Learners

Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School is dedicated to providing English Learners (ELs) with the necessary support to meet the CD requirements while they are simultaneously developing English proficiency. Our district ensures equal access to the curriculum and assessments through its English Learner Education (ELE) program.

Specialized Supports and Considerations: 

ELs are provided with Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) instruction in their content area classes. They also receive direct English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction from a licensed ELE teacher. To ensure equitable access to demonstrate mastery, ELs are provided with appropriate accommodations on classroom assignments and assessments, which may include the use of bilingual word-to-word dictionaries, extended time, and clarification of instructions in their native language when possible.

ESL Courses for ELA Credit: 

For some ELs, typically those at lower levels of English proficiency, certain ESL courses may be certified as meeting the English Language Arts (ELA) coursework requirement. This determination is made on a case-by-case basis by school counselors in consultation with the ELE teacher and ELE coordinator, based on the student's English language proficiency level (as measured by ACCESS for ELLs), prior schooling, and literacy in their native language. The curriculum for these ESL courses is aligned with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for ELA, integrating grade-appropriate standards for reading, writing, speaking, and listening with targeted English language development. Identified ELs who are in an ESL course only, will demonstrate competency on WIDA ELD Standard - Language of Language Arts including all key uses for language aligned with this standard ie. narrate, inform and argue as a part of satisfying graduation criteria for ELA competency. Identified ELs who complete ESL courses prior to graduation and who transition into an ELA course for the remainder of their time at school will demonstrate ELA competency with a lens on English Language Development by satisfactorily completing ELA coursework that has been certified by the school for ELA competency.

VI. Late-Enrolling Students

Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School will provide a comprehensive and equitable evaluation for students who enroll in the district late in their high school careers to ensure they have a viable pathway to meet the Competency Determination requirements.

Transcript Review: 

Upon enrollment, a school counselor will conduct a thorough review of the student's transcript from their previous school(s). The purpose of this review is to determine the equivalency of prior coursework to the district's requirements for graduation. This review will be conducted in a timely manner to develop an appropriate academic plan.

Course-Taking Opportunities: 

If the transcript review reveals that the student has not yet met the CD coursework requirements, the school will provide the student with a clear plan and opportunity to do so. This may include enrollment in necessary courses, credit recovery options, approved online courses, or summer school.

Demonstration of Mastery: 

When a transcript does not clearly indicate that a student has demonstrated mastery in a required content area, the district may offer the student an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills through alternative means, such as a portfolio review or a competency-based assessment for the relevant course.

VII. Alternative Pathways to Competency Determination

In cases where a student’s prior coursework cannot be documented or evaluated:

  • The student may demonstrate mastery by:
    1. Achieving a qualifying score of “Meeting Expectations” or higher on the MCAS (if available and administered), or
    2. Completing an equivalent district-approved assessment that satisfies the same academic standards.

VIII. Appeals

A student or parents/guardians may appeal decisions related to their Competency Determination through the following process. 

  1. Filing an Appeal
    • A student or parent/guardian may submit a written appeal to the principal after receiving, reviewing, or becoming aware of a Competency Determination decision.
    • Appeals should include the reason(s) for the appeal and any supporting documentation.
  2. Review of Appeal
    • The principal will review the appeal, relevant student records, and any supporting documentation.
    • Additional information may be requested from the student, parent/guardian, teacher(s), school counselor, or other appropriate staff.
  3. Decision-Making Authority
    • The final decision will be made by the principal.
    • The principal will determine whether to uphold, modify, or overturn the original Competency Determination decision.
  4. Communication of Decision
    • The principal will provide the student and parent/guardian with a written decision within 15 school days of the appeal request.
       

IX. Diploma Request Process for Previously Enrolled Students 

A previously enrolled student in the classes of 2003 through 2024 who earned a Certificate of Attainment but did not earn a diploma as a result of failing to meet the state’s CD requirement may request the issuance of a diploma by:

  1. Filing an Appeal
  • A previously enrolled student who has met all Competency Determination requirements outlined in this document may submit a written appeal to the principal.
  • Appeals should include the reason(s) for the appeal and any supporting documentation.
  1. Review of Appeal
  • The principal will review the appeal, relevant student records, and any supporting documentation.
  1. Decision-Making Authority
    • The principal will determine whether the student has met the requirements of the Competency Determination as outlined in the document.
  2. Communication of Decision
    • The principal will provide the student with a written decision by the end of the scheduled school year.  If the appeal is approved, the student will be awarded a diploma in accordance with district policy.

X. Communication and Documentation

  • The Competency Determination Policy will be posted on the district’s website.
  • The district will maintain records of students’ progress toward meeting CD requirements.
  • Translated versions of this policy shall be made available to ensure accessibility for all families.

XI. Policy Review and Certification

  • This policy will be updated as needed in response to changes in state regulations.
  • The district shall certify compliance with DESE policy and submit required documentation per 603 CMR 30.04.