Proposed removal of one graduation requirement, addition of two new diplomas introduced at school board meeting

During the May 21 Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD) school board meeting, a board policy change was introduced that, if approved, could remove one graduation requirement, while introducing two new diploma options for students.

MSBSD Superintendent Dr. Randy Trani said that he reviewed the changes with the Board Policy Committee before introducing the proposal.

The first change to the existing graduation requirements, separate from the changes made to Mat-Su Central correspondence school, would be the removal of 4 Cs for all students to graduate.

“It was developed out of a sense of necessity because we had COVID happening and we had an astronomical number of students who were not on track to graduate,” Dr. Trani said during the meeting. “We had to develop a systemic intervention across the whole district to make sure that we caught those kids.” He said that over the time 4 Cs has been used, it has changed adults’ behavior to intervening at the exact right time.

The district had already relaxed the 4 Cs requirement for some juniors and seniors who were on track to graduate, while continuing to monitor their progress to ensure they remain on track.

He said ultimately, though, removing the requirement is being pushed by the budget, and that smaller schools such as Su Valley Jr/Sr High School cannot offer 4 Cs to every single student. “It’s impossible. They would have to decide not to do something like math. So we end up in the situation where we’re going to cut off our left hand or our right hand. And this is the hand we pick.” Dr. Trani said that he has heard from principals that there is benefit from the program and that many will keep utilizing the tools from the program, but just not make it a requirement for every single student. “We can’t offer it under these revenue scenarios.”

The plan will be to continue to offer 4 C’s courses at schools but not make it a requirement for every student to take the course. Schools will be expected to monitor students not enrolled in 4 C’s and move them into the course when they begin to struggle, rather than waiting until their senior year to intervene.

The other changes to graduation requirements would be the possible additions related to diplomas available to all students in the district, designed to honor and encourage exceptional high school achievement.

The proposed two new diplomas will be the ‘Honors Diploma’ and the ‘Honors Diploma with Distinction.’ Each diploma requires students to earn “four in the core” credits in each of the four core subject areas-English, Math, Science, and Social Studies-including completion of Algebra 2 or higher. Both diplomas would also require an additional credit of PE/Health.

The ‘Honors Diploma’ allows a student to focus on an additional 3 credits of advanced coursework in Career and Technical Education (CTE) or college prep courses. The ‘Honors Diploma with Distinction’ goes a step further, recognizing students who take a combination of an additional 8 credits of advanced coursework in CTE, college prep courses, world language, and JROTC. The ‘Honors Diploma with Distinction’ is designed to recognize the accomplishments of a well-rounded “renaissance student” who fully engages in the advanced academic and technical opportunities offered by the MSBSD.

“This is a way to recognize students who’ve gone above and beyond,” said Dr. Trani, adding that no student has to do either of these programs, but in the case that students do, the district would like to honor their work, much in the same tradition as colleges that graduate students with the distinction of Summa Cum Laude or Magna Cum Laude.

While students are not required to meet criteria for these diplomas, those who do will receive recognition for their hard work.

If adopted, both new diplomas, along with the change to the existing diploma, be available for students graduating in spring 2026.

The policy changes will be voted on at the next MSBSD school board meeting on June 4, 2025.