Latest news with #CompetencyDetermination
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Springfield Public Schools opens diploma requests for former students affected by past MCAS rules
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Springfield Public Schools is now accepting diploma eligibility requests from former students who previously received a Certificate of Attainment instead of a high school diploma due to past MCAS graduation requirements. The change comes in response to the passage of Massachusetts Ballot Question 2 on November 5, 2024, which altered the Competency Determination (CD) requirement for high school graduation statewide. Amherst Regional Middle School appoints new principal In alignment with the new policy, Springfield Public Schools has revised its graduation criteria for students in the classes of 2003 through 2024. Eligible former students must have earned passing grades in English 9 and English 10, Algebra 1 or Algebra 2, and Geometry, and at least one laboratory-based core science course such as Biology, Chemistry, or Introductory Physics. In addition to these academic benchmarks, students must have also met all other local graduation requirements in place at the time they attended, as outlined in the district's Pupil Progression Plan. 'If you or someone you know received a Certificate of Attainment due to MCAS testing requirements and believe you now meet the updated criteria, we encourage you to apply,' said Superintendent Dr. Sonia Dinnall. The district is urging eligible individuals to review the updated guidelines and submit a request at WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Massachusetts updates state graduation requirements for Class of 2026
The Massachusetts Department of Early and Secondary Education has approved new high school graduation requirements to replace the MCAS requirement repealed by voters last year. What are the new requirements? The new requirements will start with the Class of 2026. To graduate high school, students will need to complete two years of high school English language arts classes, one year of algebra and one year of geometry or two years of integrated math, and one year of biology, physics, chemistry, technology or an engineering course. Beginning with the Class of 2027, graduating students will also need one year of U.S. history. However, the requirements are temporary. Governor Maura Healey formed a K-12 Graduation Council to look into long-term requirements. The department said the new requirements align with the MCAS tests students take in the 10th grade. Massachusetts students must meet a state standard – a Competency Determination – and local school district requirements to graduate from high school. Will schools still give MCAS tests? Until 2024, Massachusetts students were required to pass the 10th-grade MCAS exams in math, English and science. In November, voters approved a ballot measure to prohibit the exams as a graduation requirement. Although students are still required to take the MCAS tests, the results cannot be used as a graduation requirement. Now, students are required to earn their Competency Determination "in the areas measured by the MCAS high school tests… administered in 2023." "These are all important first steps in response to the outcome of November's ballot question, which impacted the Competency Determination, not everything a student should know for graduation," Education Secretary Patrick A. Tutwiler said. The said MCAS scores may be used as a graduation requirement in "limited circumstances," such as in the case of students who don't have transcripts available. The council also included protections for the rights of students with disabilities and English language learners. However, the Massachusetts Teachers Association claims any use of the MCAS scores for graduation is a "ridiculous back-door attempt by opponents of Question 2 to salvage a status quo that harmed students across the state and stifled authentic learning for decades." Instead, the MTA said, teachers have the expertise to make competency determinations. The K-12 Graduation Council is in the process of holding listening sessions in person and virtually.
