Latest news with #SamsonOppenheim
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New ‘competency determination' replaces MCAS as graduation requirement
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – Massachusetts high school graduation requirements are changing after a vote by the state's elementary and secondary education board on Tuesday. This comes after Massachusetts voters decided last November that MCAS will no longer be used to fulfill that requirement. Passing the MCAS is no longer a high school graduation requirement, so the question becomes, 'What will decide how students get their diploma?' The state's education board will vote on the new regulations on Tuesday. Starting with the class of 2026, students will earn the requirement of the state's 'competency determination' by completing coursework equivalent to: 2 years of high school English language arts courses One year of both algebra 1 and geometry courses, or one year of both integrated math 1 and integrated math 2 One year of biology, physics, chemistry, technology, or engineering And starting with the class of 2027, one year in U.S. history The state's secretary of education says this is an important first step and that conversations will continue about the future of high school graduation standards. However, the state will continue to administer the MCAS exam, starting in third grade through high school. A proposed 'limited use' of MCAS scores for competency determination is having the Massachusetts teachers association sound the alarm, saying that it's recycling a quote, 'bad practice'. High school student Samson Oppenheim told 22News, 'A lot of people are not good at taking standardized tests but are good at a ton of other stuff—and might be extremely academically smart aside from testing.' A series of listening sessions will be held to help inform the K-12 statewide graduation council's recommendations, to ensure all students graduate with the skills to succeed. A virtual session will be held on June 3rd and an in-person session at Holyoke High School on June 5th, starting at 5:30 p.m. 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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Burger King Foundation grants scholarships to two Springfield seniors
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Two local high school seniors are being honored with scholarships from the Burger King Foundation for their hard work. The Burger King on East Columbus Avenue in Springfield welcomed the students and their families Tuesday night to celebrate their academic achievements. Samson Oppenheim–a senior at Easthampton High School and Matt Cesaer, a senior from Hampshire Regional High School, received their scholarship certificates from the foundation. Both told 22News this recognition is a result of four years of hard work, and they are excited for what's ahead in college. Organizers Gus Rousseau and John Joe Williams say this is part of their mission to support students and their goals. 'These kids will also be able to apply next year and the year after throughout their whole scholarship,' says Rousseau. Williams adds, 'We have gotten a lot from the community—we like to give back. We've done many things with the community.' The foundation is awarding $4.2 million in scholarships to students this year across the U.S. 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.
