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Westport High School Competency Determination Policy


Westport High School Competency Determination Policy

Competency Determination (CD) Requirement Under State Law

 

State law mandates that students must satisfy the requirements of the Competency Determination (CD) to graduate from high school, as outlined in G.L. c. 69, s. 1D (i). In December 2024, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education amended the competency determination (CD) requirements, updating the statute as follows:

 

The "competency determination" shall be based on the academic standards and curriculum frameworks for tenth graders in the areas of mathematics, science and technology, history and social science, foreign languages, and English, and shall represent a determination that a particular student has demonstrated mastery of a common core of skills, competencies and knowledge in these areas, by satisfactorily completing coursework that has been certified by the student's district as showing mastery of the skills, competencies, and knowledge contained in the state academic standards and curriculum frameworks in the areas measured by the MCAS high school tests described in section I, administered in 2023, and in any additional areas determined by the board.

 

Minimum Requirements for Competency Determination (CD)

 

To receive a diploma from Westport High School, students must meet both the school's graduation requirements and the Competency Determination (CD) requirements for 10th-grade coursework, as mandated by state law. The Massachusetts Standards serve as a critical academic benchmark, ensuring that students possess the foundational skills necessary for success in upper-level high school courses, post-secondary education, and the workforce.

Important Terms

 

Satisfactory Completion: Students must complete designated courses in accordance with the district's grading policy. For example, students must complete each designated course with a passing grade of 65% or higher.

 

Mastery: Students must demonstrate mastery of the content in each required course or an equivalent measure identified by the district, in accordance with our school's grading policy. This assessment may include written exams, final projects, or other approved evaluations.

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Waiver: In exceptional circumstances (such as documented medical issues, extraordinary academic performance or other qualifying factors), this requirement may be waived at the discretion of the Principal (or designee).

Westport High School Graduation Requirements

English Language Arts (20 Credits Required)

English 9 (5 credits)

English 10 (5 credits)

English 11 (5 credits)

English 12 (5 credits)

Mathematics* (20 Credits Required)

Algebra I (5 credits)

Geometry (5 credits)

Algebra II (5 credits)

One Additional Mathematics Course (5 credits)

*Students must take mathematics every year for a minimum of four courses.

Social Studies (15 Credits Required)

World History (5 credits)

US History I (5 credits)

US History II (5 credits)

Science (15 Credits Required)

Biology (5 credits)

Two Additional Lab Sciences (10 credits total)

World Language (5 Credits Required)

One World Language Course (5 credits)

Physical Education/Health (10 Credits Required)

Physical Education/Health courses across grades 9-12 (10 credits total)

Visual/Performing Arts (2.5 Credits Required)

One Visual or Performing Arts Course (2.5 credits)

Business (2.5 Credits Required)

Personal Finance (2.5 credits)

Community Service Requirement

20 hours of community service (beginning with the graduating class of 2026)

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Competency Determination (CD) Requirements for the Class of 2026 and Beyond

 

To meet the CD requirement at Westport High School, students must satisfactorily complete and show mastery in the following courses:

 

English*

 

Course Name

Passing Grade

Credits

Evidence of Mastery

English 9

65

5

Pass course exam or final project

English 10

65

5

Pass course exam or final project

 

Mathematics*

 

Course Name

Passing Grade

Credits

Evidence of Mastery

Algebra 1

65

5

Pass course exam

Geometry

65

5

Pass course exam

 

Science*

 

Course Name

Passing Grade

Credits

Evidence of Mastery

Biology, Chemistry, or Physics

65

5

Pass course exam or final project

 

History (Beginning with Class of 2027)*

 

Course Name

Passing Grade

Credits

Evidence of Mastery

US History I or US History II

65

5

Pass course exam or final project

 

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Notes:

* Science requirements may be fulfilled by alternate courses if Biology was completed at the sending district (principal approval required).

* All courses follow Massachusetts state curriculum frameworks for their respective subject areas.

 

Alternative Pathways to Meet the CD Requirement for Graduation

 

Westport High School provides multiple pathways for students to meet the Competency Determination (CD) requirement if traditional coursework completion is not applicable. These alternatives ensure that all students, regardless of their educational background, have the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of required academic standards.

  1. State Waiver Process

The school district may request a waiver for a specific provision of the competency determination (CD) regulations. This waiver is only granted for good cause upon submission of a written request from the school district.

  1. Transcript Review for Previous Graduates

Students who graduated before the implementation of the competency requirements (CD) may qualify for a transcript review to determine if they now meet the standards. The Principal (or designee) will evaluate the transcript to verify whether the student has demonstrated competency in Science, Mathematics, and English Language Arts (ELA) as outlined in the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. Graduates interested in pursuing this option should contact the Principal.

  1. Transfer Students

Students who enter Westport High School after grade 9 will undergo a transcript review conducted by the principal (or designee) to determine if their prior coursework fulfills the competency determination (CD) requirements. If a student has not met the CD, they will be provided with alternative options to fulfill the requirement, which may include:

  • Summer school,
  • Online coursework,
  • Mastery performance exams, or
  • Other alternatives deemed appropriate by the principal (or designee).
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These alternatives may require additional time outside the regular school day or year.



 

Students with Earned CDs

Students prior to the Class of 2026 who have already earned a Competency Determination (CD) through a standard or retest administration of the MCAS, or through a Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) appeal process, have met the requirement and are not impacted by these changes.

Support for Students Who Do Not Meet the CD Requirement

 

Students who do not meet the CD requirement by grade 10 will receive monitoring and support throughout grades 11 and 12. To fulfill the requirement, they must:

 

  • Complete coursework that demonstrates mastery of the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks
  • Receive appropriate academic support and intervention services
  •  Have access to alternative pathways as determined by the principal or designee

 

This structured approach ensures that all students are provided with the necessary support and opportunities to meet graduation standards.

 

Path 1

Graduation requirements completed with passing grade  of 65% or better

✅

Demonstrated mastery of the content in each required course or an equivalent measure identified by the district, in accordance with the school’s grading policy. This assessment may include written exams, final projects, or other approved evaluations. 

✅

Competency Determination earned

✅

 

Path 2

Graduation requirements completed with passing grade  of 65% or better

✅

Demonstrated mastery of the content in each required course or an equivalent measure identified by the district, in accordance with the school’s grading policy. This assessment may include written exams, final projects, or other approved evaluations

⛔

Additional opportunities which include final exam retakes, portfolio reviews, or Resiliency or Summer School completion

✅

Competency Determination earned

✅


 

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Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for Students with Disabilities and English Learners

 

Westport High School is required to provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to students with disabilities. The new law, effective December 11, 2024, does not change this requirement. In accordance with federal law, we must:

 

  • Ensure that students with disabilities receive FAPE
  • Ensure that English Learners receive FAPE
  • Determine that a student has met state and local graduation requirements before awarding a diploma

 

Option 1

Option 2

For students who did not meet the requirements as outlined in Option 1

Alternative Option 

For students who qualify for MCAS-Alt 

Courses and Grades:

1) English: Receive a passing grade and credit for both the English 9 and English 10 courses.

 

2) Math: Receive a passing grade and credit for both Algebra 1 and Geometry courses.

 

3) Science: Receive a passing grade and credit for Biology and an additional lab science course. 


 

Portfolio:

Students who do not pass the courses outlined in Option 1 with a passing grade may complete a portfolio of evidence of meeting the learning standards of the course(s) from student work, such as classroom assignments, projects, and assessments. The applicable courses for the portfolio of evidence will be in the categories as outlined in Option 1 in English, Math, and/or Science. 

 

The student learning portfolio will be assessed by the Principal or designee. 

Portfolio:

The Individualized Education team will use professional judgment to determine if a student with significant cognitive disabilities is eligible for this alternative portfolio assessment, considering the individual student’s needs. 

 

Students with this alternative assessment designated in their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) will complete the portfolio in the areas of English, Math, and Science. Teachers will collect student work demonstrating students’ learning, such as classroom assignments, projects, and observations throughout 10th grade. 

 

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Additional Competency Determination (CD) Areas

 

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has the authority to expand the Competency Determination (CD) requirements to include additional subject areas. Under the amended regulations, United States History has been added as a required competency area, beginning with the graduating class of 2027. Future updates may include other subjects, such as history/social science and world languages, as determined by the Board.

Appeals Process

 

Students who do not meet the requirements of the Competency Determination will be able to appeal to the Building Principal or Designee. Students may send an email or written request to appeal the decision to the building principal prior to the expected graduation date. The Principal will convene a team of counselors and teachers to review the appeal. Appeal decisions will be communicated to the student within 10 days.

Policy Communications

 

This policy will have to be approved by the Westport School Committee and would be publicly available in English and Spanish translations on the school's website. Additionally:

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  • The Competency Determination (CD) Requirement and Graduation Requirements will be submitted to the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE), as needed
  • Westport High School will certify compliance with these provisions to the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE)
  • The Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) will audit district competency determination (CD) policies, as needed, to ensure quality and adherence to state regulations.
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