Malden Schools to Draft New Graduation Policy After Question 2 Passage

MALDEN — January 6, 2025 — Malden School Committee begins work on new graduation competency policy after Question 2. At the January 6 meeting, Superintendent Jon Sipple told the committee that the November ballot measure requires the district to replace its MCAS-based competency determination with a local coursework standard before the class of 2025 crosses the stage at graduation Sunday, June 1. Sipple said a policy recommendation originally slated for February would be expedited to a special remote meeting, after members including Vice Chair Paul Szpak and policy subcommittee members debated whether a formal referral was needed. Sipple also disclosed that 664 students — roughly one third of Malden High School — carry at least one directed study period instead of a full seven-class schedule, with data showing those students have higher chronic absenteeism rates than peers with full schedules; external consultants Education Resource Strategies are expected to deliver scheduling analysis the following week.