BOE revisits graduation requirements
Stafford’s Board of Education got down to business during its first meeting of the new school year. Superintendent of Schools Scott Sugarman reported on updates to the graduation requirements at Stafford High School (SHS). In addition to legislative requirements the district is also looking at some of its own policies.
Sugarman said the district is updating the graduation policies to clarify that as per state requirements students must complete at least one financial literacy course. Additionally, the state is also requiring that, starting with the Class of 2027, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who cannot or simply do not want to fill out the FAFSA, can submit a waiver.
The district’s early graduation policy is also getting a bit of spruce. Students seeking to graduate from SHS early will not only need to meet all graduation requirements but also must submit a written request to the principal before the start of 11th grade to allow adequate planning time. Principal of SHS Marco Pelliccia said that over the past six years he’s receive six early graduation requests. He said they were for all different reasons, including a desire to enter the military early.
Sugarman also discussed updates to the “Mastery-Based Diploma Assessments” which are no longer required by the state, but the district is opting to keep a revised version of the language. This, according to Sugarman, allows the town to keep the assessments as an optional tool aligned to the "Portrait of a Graduate" rubric.
Perhaps of most concern to students is a change requiring them to take math courses in grades 9, 10, and 11—ratehr than simply requiring nine credits— “to maintain momentum,” especially leading up to SAT preparation.
Pelliccia said, “Part of our job is to keep as many doors open as possible.”
The policies submitted for review will be up for another read and, potentially, approval at the October BOE meeting.
