Compentency Determination

The Dedham Public Schools must both provide a Free and Appropriate Public Education to students with disabilities and must also determine that the student has met the competency determination and local graduation requirements prior to graduating that student.  

For programs approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in accordance with 603 CMR 28.09 (the "approved" private and public day and residential programs), the District will assume that the approved special education school has aligned the school curriculum with the state curriculum frameworks consistent with 603 CMR 28.09(9)(b) in terms of whether a student has met the Competency Determination.  Indeed, by placing the student in an out-of-district program, the District is confirming that the out-of-district placement is able to provide a program sufficient to meet its CD policy.  

Additionally, with respect to the local graduation requirements: by choosing to send a student to an out-of-district program, the District is accepting the out-of-district program as sufficient to meet the local requirements of the District that are necessary for graduation.

Discussion of the competency determination must be a part of the IEP Team’s transition planning.
 

The Dedham Public Schools shall, on a case-by-case basis, determine the appropriate courses necessary for English Language Learners to both achieve language proficiency and meet the competency determination requirements.

Students who enroll in a Massachusetts public high school after their ninth-grade year may be granted a determination of competency by the Dedham Public Schools in one or more of the following ways:  

• Students who enroll in DPS after their ninth-grade year will be allowed to earn the CD. Upon enrollment, a Guidance Counselor, along with Administration, will review the incoming student’s transcript and build a schedule that will fulfill local and CD requirements. 
• In the limited circumstance where DPS is unable to document a late-enrolling student’s prior coursework, students will meet the standard for a substituted equivalent that satisfies the same academic standards through an online education provider.

A student may be eligible for appeal if they meet any of the following conditions:

•  The student has completed or is on track to complete local graduation requirements.

•  The student has demonstrated academic proficiency in the relevant subject area through coursework or alternative assessments.

•  The student qualifies for a state Performance Appeal (if applicable) under DESE guidelines.

A student, parent/guardian, or school staff member may initiate the appeal by submitting a Competency Determination Appeal Form to the Principal or designated administrator. The form must include:

•  Student name, ID, grade level

•  Specific subject(s) being appealed (ELA, Math, or Science)

•  Summary of circumstances and rationale for appeal

•  Relevant supporting documentation (see below)

Supporting documentation must demonstrate the student’s academic proficiency and readiness for graduation. Examples include:

•  Transcript showing successful completion of core coursework

•  Teacher recommendations

•  Portfolio of work in the subject area

•  Grades or progress reports aligned with state standards

•  IEP or 504 Plan documentation (if applicable)

•  Alternative assessment data or locally approved evidence of mastery

The school will convene a Competency Determination Appeals Committee made up of:

•  Principal or designee

•  Department Head or subject-area teacher

•  Guidance counselor

•  Special Education liaison (if applicable)

The committee will review the appeal materials and may:

•  Interview the student or staff member submitting the appeal

•  Request additional evidence

•  Evaluate alignment with state curriculum frameworks

A decision will be made within 10 school days of receiving a completed appeal package.

The decision will be communicated in writing to the student and family. The committee may:

•  Approve the appeal and award the Competency Determination in the subject area

•  Deny the appeal and offer next steps (e.g., additional support, credit recovery)

If applicable, the school will also submit a Performance Appeal to DESE for final approval under state guidelines.

If the appeal is denied at the school level and the student meets state criteria, families may pursue:

•  A State Performance Appeal through DESE, facilitated by the school

•  An additional appeal upon new evidence (e.g., improved academic performance)

•  Dispute resolution through appropriate district channels

Appeals must be submitted by the deadlines outlined by the school and/or DESE.

•  The student must continue to engage in academic support or graduation planning during the appeal.

•  All students with IEPs or 504 Plans are entitled to accommodations in the appeal process.