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Burlington High School has completed the annual update to its program of studies, which was approved by the School Committee at their January 27 virtual meeting. This follows a first reading at an ad hoc meeting of the School Committe on January 20, where Principal Mark Sullivan and Counseling Director Joseph Attubato explained the key changes to the program of studies, competency requirements, and grading policies.

Some additions and changes were made to clarify a cohesive four-year pathway for students. For example, an Accelerated Algebra 2/Pre-Calculus course will be added to give students access to advanced courses like AP Calculus or AP Statistics senior year without having to skip Algebra 1 in their freshman year. The photography program is also getting a new progression: Photo 3 and Photo 4 were removed, but students wishing to go deep into the study of photography can take Photo 1, Photo 2, Advanced Photography, and a senior-year independent study option.

Other additions include Web Design, Retail Marketing 2, which Sullivan described as a project-based learning lab added due to the popularity of the school's current business offerings and the successful DECA program, Global Story Lab - Critical Reading for the 21st Century, an elective that focuses on helping students develop expert reading and analysis skills, and Discover Teaching, a course designed to give students hands-on teaching experience.

The school will also be adding Unified P.E., a course designed for students with intellectual disabilities, following along on the popularity of the unified basketball and bowling programs that are offered through the athletic department. Foundations Two - Modern World History and Cultures, a course modified for students in grades 9-10 with special education needs, will also join the course lineup.

Classes such as Yearbook Production and Advanced Seminar in Social Studies were removed due to low interest. Other courses will undergo name or minor formatting changes, such as Sculpture, which is being replace by Clay Studio; Feminism, whose name will change to Modern Women's History through Popular Culture; and Purposeful Leadership, which will move from the English department to an interdisciplinary classification to allow for cross-curriculum teaching opportunities.

The Dual Enrollment program, now called Concurrent Enrollment, will be adding a Child Development course to its long list of offerings, allowing students to earn three college credits through Middlesex Community College.

Attubato and Sullivan also updated the School Committee on their work to refine the competency requirements and grading policy.

Individual department grading policies within the program of studies are being replaced by the school-wide grading policy implemented over the past couple of years. The Competency Requirements were approved by the School Committee in December as an attempt to have a local policy in place while the state works on creating a state-wide set of requirements.

The Governor and Education Commissioner are "trying to determine how they define mastery," said Conti. "If it sounds like we're not definitive, it's because the state is not definitive," he added, though the district is tracking the state's work in an attempt to have a policy in place that will meet the state requirements when they're eventually passed.

Beginning with the class of 2030 (current eighth graders), students will need to demonstrate competency in key areas by passing indicated courses and earning a passing grade on their final exam or work product.

Additionally, students must demonstrate proficiency in the competencies, skills, and dispositions outlined in the "Portrait of a Graduate." They'll be required to maintain a digital portfolio throughout high school, with advisor support through twice-monthly check-ins, culminating in a formal "defense" of their portfolio as a graduation requirement.

School Committe members Meghan Nawoichik and Katherine Bond questioned the term "defense," pointing out that it feels consequential in a way that might not be intended. Sullivan clarified that it's more of a presentation than a true defense. "They could highlight a project, an assignment, an essay, something that they wrote that they're particularly proud of. [It's] a way for them to show and talk about their growth over their four years," he said, later adding, "It's not like if they don't defend it well they're not going to pass." Sullivan agreed to adjust the language to make it more indicative of the experience.

Conti added that some performance-based indicator is likely to be included in state graduation requirements and that it appears the "Portrait of a Gratuate" framework is being considered for all schools state-wide.

The competency determination policy can be viewed here, and the full program of studies will soon be posted on the Burlington Public Schools website.

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