Beginning with the Class of 2021, there will be new graduation requirements at Barrington High School. 

An informational meeting for parents of freshman in the first graduating class to be affected by the new policy, was held before the school’s open house on Wednesday night, Sept. 27.

Dr. Paula Dillon, the school district's assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, said the new requirements provide options for high school students to immerse themselves in areas of interest beyond the classroom.

Each option is elective and most students will decide what “Pathway” to follow as early as their sophomore year and as late as their junior year. Each student will have an "Individual Learning Plan" created with the school counselors.

Barrington High School Principal Joseph Hurley said this new diploma system allows students to go deeper in a particular subject or area of interest.

“This gives students an extra level of knowledge that they can’t get in the classroom," Mr. Hurley said. "Each chairperson of each department will have the opportunity to create the 'Pathways.'"

The Rhode Island Department of Education requires municipalities to update and review options for graduation requirements periodically; the Barrington Public School District has developed a diploma system that builds upon a state model.

Diploma options

There will be options for students to pursue when earning their diplomas, including the traditional track that has been policy in the past. Students can earn a diploma with the Commissioner’s Seal from the State; another option is a Seal of Bilingual Literacy and finally an Experiential Pathway Endorsement that meets the RI Council of Secondary and Elementary education guidelines.

Traditional diploma requirements show that a student has successfully completed 23 academic credits, met proficiencies (mandatory state testing) and passed a senior project. This earns them the Commissioner's Seal.

Students at Barrington High School can earn a Seal of Bilingual Literacy by demonstrating proficiency in ELA assessments and on PSAT and SAT exams. They must also show proficiency in another language in a state approved exam, as well as complete the mandatory state proficiencies.

“This is a great opportunity for students and goes along with deeper learning. It helps them build their portfolios,” Dr. Dillon said.

There are two ways to earn the diploma with the Seal of Experimental Pathway Endorsement. 

For the diploma with an Experiential Pathway, the students must have successful completion of a minimum of 22 academic credits, an internship or similar experience connected to the student's Pathway and an application project connected with their Pathway the demonstrates mastery of related skills. Three courses must link to the pathway beyond core requirements and can be related to the senior project.

An expanded option is a diploma with two Experiential Pathway Endorsements and requires a student to successfully complete 21 academic credits, two internships or similar experiences connected to their Pathway, and two application projects connected to their Pathway that demonstrate mastery of related skills. A minimum of three and a maximum of six of their courses must link to a Pathway, beyond core requirements. One application project may be the senior project.

Both Expanded Pathway Endorsements require the student to meet the state proficiency requirements as well.

Finally, students earn a diploma through an Approved Transition Experiential Pathway with the successful completion of a minimum of 21 academic credits with proficiency and measures as outlined in the student's individual education program, along with the requirements for the specific Pathways. This program is agreed upon no later than the spring of sophomore year and must be agreed upon by the student, parents and the IEP team.

BHS students will also be allowed to take classes in other RI schools through the RI Advanced Course Network.

“These new guidelines will ignite passion in our students rather than simply check off boxes. It can be something that will take on more excitement in their education,” Dr. Dillon said.