IKFE - Competency Determination

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Policy IKFE

Adopted: November 6, 2025
 

 

HOPKINTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE POLICY

COMPETENCY DETERMINATION

 

MINIMUM GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 

In order to be considered for graduation, a student must successfully complete the following with a passing grade and receive credit. Students earn 2.5 credits per semester with the exception of Wellness classes. For Wellness classes, students earn 2 credits per semester during 9th grade and 1 credit for each subsequent semester. 

   ENGLISH                         20 Credits

   MATHEMATICS              20 Credits

   SCIENCE                         15 Credits

  HISTORY & SOCIAL SCIENCES 15 Credits

  WORLD LANGUAGE      10 Credits

   WELLNESS                 8 Credits

   ARTS & TECHNOLOGY     5 Credits   

   OTHER                            20 Credits

   Total:                                 113 Credits

 

COMPETENCY DETERMINATION REQUIREMENTS

In addition to meeting the Course Requirements described in the aforementioned Graduation Requirements in adherence with The Massachusetts Education Reform Law of 1993, G.L. c. 69, § 1D, all students must meet the Competency Determination (CD) standard in Math, ELA, Science, and, beginning with the class of 2027, History to earn a diploma in MA. The new statute states:

 

“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 one I administered in 2023, and in any additional areas determined by the board.”

 

Coursework Requirements

In addition to these local graduation requirements, students must meet the competency determination state law requires. In order for students to do that, they must:

• Complete ninth and tenth grade English with a passing grade
• Complete ninth and tenth grade Math with a passing grade (must include Geometry and Algebra I and/or II)
• Complete one of the three, year-long core Science course (either Biology, Chemistry, or Physics) with a passing grade
• Complete one year United States History course with a passing grade (beginning with Class of 2027)

Satisfactory Completion & Mastery

- Satisfactory completion means a student earns full credit in a course by meeting Hopkinton’s grading policy (final course average ≥ 60 or a grade of “P” for Passing).
- Showing mastery shall mean that a student has passed a final assessment, portfolio, or benchmark assessment that has been identified by the department as assessing at least half of the priority standards for a given subject area at or above the grade 10 level.

 

Students who do not meet this requirement will be monitored and supported in grades 11 and 12 and must pass classes in relevant subjects in grades 11 and 12, or make up coursework in grades 10 and 11 that meets the standards of the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks.  

 

Students with Disabilities

Hopkinton ensures that students with disabilities:
- Meet CD requirements through completion of aligned coursework and mastery measures.
- Receive supports and accommodations/modifications as defined in their IEP or 504 plan.
- For out-of-district placements, the Hopkinton CD policy applies.

English Learners

- English learners must complete the same coursework and mastery requirements as all students.
-The Hopkinton School District shall, on a case-by-case basis, determine appropriate courses necessary for English Language Learners to both achieve language proficiency and meet the competency determination requirements. 

Late-Enrolling Students

- Students who enroll in Hopkinton after grade 9 will have prior transcripts reviewed to determine progress toward CD.
- If documentation of aligned coursework is missing, students may meet CD through additional coursework or targeted assessments. 

Students who left school before 2025 without meeting the competency requirements

-Students will be able to meet the competency requirements by demonstrating competency and mastery in the standards of the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks for science, math, and ELA. 

 

Appeals Process

-Students enrolled in the Hopkinton School District in the class of 2025 and beyond may appeal the competency determination by participating in a transcript and portfolio review to determine if they have met the competency determination requirement.

-Administrators or their designee will verify this competency. 

 

First Reading: October 30, 2025

Second Reading: November 6, 2025

Adopted: November 6, 2025