Digital Learning Requirement Changed for Class of 2028

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December 13, 2024
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By Christina Saad
STAFF WRITER

In past years, the requirement for Digital Learning was grouped with Fine Arts as a 1.5 credit graduation requirement. This meant if someone took all art courses, they wouldn’t have to take any digital learning courses. The School Committee decided last year that it would be better to have these classes separated from then on so that students could experiment in both departments.

“We want kids to be exposed to the arts,” Shereen Rancourt, the Executive Director of Secondary Instruction said, “and also be exposed to things like business and computer design, so that’s why it’s different for the Class of 2028 and beyond.”

In the Andover High School Program of Studies, courses grouped under Digital Learning consist of Business, Web and Game Design, Film and Video Production, Broadcast Journalism, and the recently added AP Economics class. However, some Digital Learning classes are grouped under multiple departments, so they may be found elsewhere. For example, Computer Science classes count as a Math credit or a Digital Learning credit.

CORRESPONDENT PHOTO / Ethan Nguyen
The Computer Science room.

“If you need it for one or the other, you kind of use it where you need it,” Rancourt said.

Although for some students taking the courses may just mean fulfilling a requirement, program coordinators and teachers emphasized its importance beyond high school.

“The decision… also came from some of our program coordinators who were interested in giving more options to students,” Assistant Superintendent Julie Riley said, “[to] test out things they were interested in before… applying to colleges, so people have more of an understanding of what they may want to go into.”

Marianne Bezaire, a technology teacher, explained how Digital Learning is an important life skill to have in this world.

“Just like communication in general in math, I think digital literacy is important…,” Bezaire stated, “Not everyone needs to necessarily be learning the intricacies of Java… but I think it’s great if they can understand some of the concepts of logic and design.”

Andoverview

EDITORIAL: Where is the Line Between Inspiration and Cheating?

March 30, 2026

At ANDOVERVIEW, we believe academic dishonesty is a notable issue. Students are often scared to ask teachers for help, don’t have time to complete the work, or are simply lazy, so they ask AI to do the work for them.

We do not exclude ourselves from this phenomenon. To our knowledge, ANDOVERVIEW has never allowed AI to change the truths that we report, but we know for certain that there have been drafts put forward by students for publication in the past years that have relied on AI. We acknowledge that the problem with AI usage is schoolwide (in fact, nationwide); now, as part of the student body, we want to raise awareness and help solve this problem.

Cheating causes an uneven playing field between those who use AI or cheat in any way, and those who do their work honestly. Academic dishonesty also hinders teachers’ ability to understand how much their students truly retain what is being taught.

We at ANDOVERVIEW believe that within each class at AHS, teachers need to provide a defined line between what constitutes cheating and learning.

Much of cheating today revolves around AI, and many teachers seem to have a different policy regarding it. Students must figure out which rules apply where. Academic integrity in one classroom may be considered a violation in another. Although a schoolwide policy is existent, it is lengthy while simultaneously being unclear at times. More specificity is necessary within the policy to ensure that coursework isn’t a stressful guessing game for students.

So, what are students to do? At ANDOVERVIEW we believe students who use sources for ideas—not as a replacement for their own work and effort—need a solid line to tell them if what they are doing is considered academic dishonesty. We need a policy, we need a line, and most importantly we need consistency.

Until that consistent line is drawn, students must recognize that if, in their eyes, an action comes anywhere near that blurry boundary, they should stop. Reflect on if it is truly worth it risking your reputation and potentially your future. If not, we urge you to choose a different path. Academic integrity starts with each individual student.

Articles

Steve Zrike Appointed MA Secretary of Education

February 12, 2026

Avery Slaughter || ONLINE EDITOR

Steve Zrike was appointed Massachusetts Secretary of Education by Governor Maura Healey on February 10. He will assume the position on February 13.

Zrike will succeed Patrick Tutwiler in the role. As Secretary of Education, Zrike will oversee the Executive Office of Education, which is responsible for managing pre-elementary, K-12 and higher education across the state.

“My responsibility is to the children of the Commonwealth,” Zrike said. “I just want to make sure that that is clear–that at the end of the day, the job is about improving the student experience in our public institutions across Massachusetts.”

Zrike is currently the superintendent of Salem Public Schools. Previously, he also served as superintendent of both Holyoke and Wakefield. He has held various other positions in school districts across Massachusetts.

“I feel like I’ve had a lot of experiences in a lot of different types of communities,” Zrike said. “I’m going to rely on the different relationships and different experiences I’ve had across all those places. Of course, I have a lot to learn, and I’m excited to get started with better understanding the many different types of education programs that exist across Massachusetts.”

An Andover resident, Zrike began his career in education as a fifth grade teacher in Andover Public Schools. Prior to this, he received education at Dartmouth College and attended the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

“Andover was an amazing place for me to start my career,” Zrike said. “I learned a lot from the people that I worked with. I’ve carried that experience with me since.”

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Digital Learning Requirement Changed for Class of 2028

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