The Marlboro Central School District Board of Education held a workshop meeting on January 2, 2025, focusing on significant changes to high school diploma requirements and assessment protocols. The meeting provided a detailed overview of the current and future cohorts of students, particularly regarding their graduation requirements.

The discussion began with an explanation of the concept of "cohort," which refers to the year students enter ninth grade. The cohort of 2023, currently in tenth grade, will graduate under the existing diploma requirements, which remain unchanged. However, there is a provision for students to request exemptions due to major life events, although specifics on what qualifies as such were not provided.

Looking ahead, the cohort of 2024, currently in ninth grade, will experience a shift in diploma requirements. They are expected to receive one diploma instead of the previous three, with current credit requirements remaining the same. Notably, the diploma assessment requirements may be decoupled by fall 2027, marking a significant transition for future cohorts.

The meeting also addressed the implications for cohorts 2027 and 2028, which will see the sunset of diploma assessment requirements. The specifics of how this will affect seals or endorsements students can earn remain unclear, prompting ongoing discussions among stakeholders.

A key topic of interest was the proposed statewide transcript concept for the cohort of 2029. This initiative aims to explore different versions of student transcripts, potentially moving away from traditional grading systems to performance-based assessments and portfolio evaluations. The speaker emphasized the importance of stakeholder input in shaping these changes, highlighting the need for careful consideration of the implications of such a shift, especially given New York's unique standardized testing landscape.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue dialogue on these critical issues, ensuring that all voices are heard as the district navigates these significant educational changes.