Competency Determination: Greenfield Public Schools
Section 1: Competency Determination Requirements
To graduate from Greenfield High School, students must earn full credit in courses outlined in Greenfield’s local graduation requirements and demonstrate mastery in the specific required courses listed in the following section. Full credit is earned by achieving a final grade of 60 or higher. Mastery is demonstrated by earning a grade of 70 or higher on either a final course assessment or a capstone or portfolio project, with scoring based on the designated assessment mechanism. Course requirements are as follows:
| Content Area | Coursework Requirement | Course Options to Meet Requirement |
| English Language Arts | The equivalent of two years of high school English language arts courses. | A. English 9 B. English 10 C. English 11 D. English 12 E. ESL courses for Level 1 and 2 students F. Integrated ELA |
| Mathematics | The equivalent of one year of BOTH Algebra I and Geometry courses. Integrated Math can be used in specific situations to fulfill one of these requirements. Students in grade 8 can satisfy the Algebra I requirement by enrolling in a GHS Algebra I course. | A. Algebra I B. Geometry C. Algebra II D. Integrated Math E. Pre-Calculus F. AP Calculus G. AP Statistics H. Financial Algebra |
| Science | The equivalent of one year of any one of the following disciplines: Biology, Chemistry, or Physics. | A. Biology B. Physics C. Chemistry D. Integrated Science |
Beginning with the graduating Class of 2027, the District’s Competency Determination requirements include the following:
| History | The equivalent of a one-year United States history course. | A. US History (I, II, or AP) |
Students who do not meet the required passing grades in the above prescribed courses may enroll in summer school, credit recovery courses, or be scheduled to take additional coursework by their guidance counselor that meets the same Massachusetts Curriculum Framework Standards. These opportunities will provide a student who has yet to meet the CD requirements with additional opportunities to meet this state standard for a diploma.
If the District is unable to document a student’s prior coursework, a student will be allowed to meet the Competency Determination requirements by:
- Attaining a qualifying score of at least “meeting expectations” or “exceeding expectations” achievement level on the relevant high school MCAS assessment; or
- Meeting the standard for a substituted equivalent that the District certifies satisfies the same academic standards.
Section 2: Additional Considerations
- Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities, whether in-district or out-of-district, are provided specialized support, modifications, or alternative demonstration methods as part of the Competency Determination requirements.
In order to be eligible for a Certificate of Attainment from Greenfield High School instead of a diploma, a student who does not meet the state Competency Determination must satisfactorily complete the local graduation requirements and any additional criteria set forth by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
- English Learners
English learners are enrolled in inclusive classes for all course requirements and provided additional support, modifications, or alternative demonstration methods from the District as part of the Competency Determination requirements.
ESL courses may count toward the ELA coursework requirement, as long as they explicitly integrate grade-appropriate ELA standards with English Language Development (ELD) standards, using instructional scaffolds that are appropriate to students’ English proficiency levels
- Transfer Students:
In the event that a student transfers into Greenfield High School at any point during their high school career, a transcript review will be conducted by a guidance counselor. The counselor will make a recommendation to the administration regarding the student’s path to earning a CD. The principal, or their designee, will review this recommendation to ensure that the student’s prior coursework is aligned with Greenfield High School requirements for the CD. Once this review is complete, the decision as to whether the CD requirements have been satisfied will be communicated to the student and their guardian(s). In the event the CD requirements have not been satisfied, the counselor will develop a plan in collaboration with the student and their guardian(s) detailing how the requirements will be met.
Section 3: Appeals Process
If the CD is not granted and the student or their guardian(s) disagrees with the decision, an appeal may be submitted to the Principal. The Principal shall then convene a three-member panel consisting of the Principal, another building administrator (from GHS or another school in the district), and a district administrator. This panel will review all disagreements related to transcript reviews and CD determinations, and its decision regarding the student’s CD status will be final.
Section 4: Diploma Request Process for Previously Enrolled Students
Any current or former student may request a transcript review by contacting Greenfield High School’s guidance department at (413)772-1350 ext. 1129 or Tami Silk, administrative assistant, at tamsil1@gpsk12.org.
Section 5: Local Graduation Requirements (from GHS Program of Study)
DISTRIBUTION OF GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
- Twenty (20) credits of English courses
- Fifteen (15) credits of Math courses
- Fifteen (15) credits of Science courses
- Fifteen (15) credits of Social Studies courses
- Five (5) credits of Health courses
- Ten (10) credits of Wellness courses
- Two and ½ (2.5) credit Technology course
h. Ten (10) credits of Arts and Humanities courses
i. Twenty Seven and ½ (27.5) credits additional courses
Total credits needed to Graduate: 120 credits
Credit Distribution
1. The Science requirement must include:
- Life Science
- Physical Science
- At least one Additional Science
2. The Social Studies requirement must include:
a. U.S. History I
b. U.S. History II
c. Modern World History
3. The Mathematics requirement must include:
- One year of both Algebra I and Geometry courses. Integrated Math can be used in specific situations to fulfill one of these requirements. Students in grade 8 can satisfy the Algebra I requirement by enrolling in a GHS Algebra I course.
4. The Humanities/Arts requirement can be met by any of the courses from one or more of the following departments:
- Art
b. World Language
c. Music
d. Film
e. Culinary Arts
f. Business
g. ELA offerings (creative writing, philosophy)
H. History offerings (psychology, current events, law)
The Health/Wellness requirement must include:
a. 1 Semester Health A (recommended for grade 9)
b. 1 Semester Health B (recommended for grade 10)
c. 2 Semesters Wellness (recommended for grade 9 or 10)
d. 2 Semesters Wellness (recommended for grade 11 or 12)
POLICY ON EARLY GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Students who complete graduation requirements by the end of the first semester of their senior year may only be exempt from attending classes at Greenfield High School during the second semester if they notify guidance of their intent to graduate early and receive principal approval by the end of their junior year.
Approved by Greenfield School Committee 12.10.25