Putnam High School: Mastery Based Diploma
What is a Mastery Based Diploma?
New Graduation Requirements: “(c)Commencing with classes graduating in 2023, and for each graduating class thereafter, no local or regional board of education shall permit any student to graduate from high school or grant a diploma to any student who has not satisfactorily completed a minimum of twenty-five credits, including [...] (6) a one credit mastery-based diploma assessment.”
— Public Act No.17-42; Sec. 1(c)(6)
What is the Vision of a Putnam Learner?
"One option for how a school or district could design their mastery-based diploma assessment is to build these assessments around their Portrait of a Graduate competencies or the cross-curricular, 21st century skills that schools define for NEASC accreditation. These competencies are the cross-curricular skills and knowledge that every graduate needs to be successful. Frequently these competencies include standards like communication and problem solving. Schools, districts, and communities work together to collaboratively define the essential skills and knowledge all graduates need to live healthy and productive lives. This work is often incorporated into a portrait of a graduate document or aligned to a school or district’s mission and vision work." (https://www.capss.org/public-policy-2020/ct-high-school-graduation-requirements/brief-5-mastery-based-diploma-assessment)
Putnam's Portrait of a Graduate is referred to as our "Vision of a Putnam Learner". The vision was created by a team of teachers from all three of the district's schools, administrators, students, parents, and community members. The vision outlines the skills Putnam students will develop throughout their time in the district and that they will have mastered upon graduation.
What Do Students Have To Do?
In their sophomore year, students will pick one of three pathways to complete in order to demonstrate mastery of the Vision of a Putnam Learner expectations:
