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District staff weigh changes to competency determination after DESE guidance; policy recommendation expected in February
Summary
Dracut school leaders said Jan. 13 they are preparing an amendment to the district graduation‑requirements policy after DESE guidance left districts to define local competency determination standards.
Dracut School Committee members heard an update Jan. 13 on revisions the district is preparing after state guidance changed how students meet a graduation competency determination (CD).
Superintendent and central office staff told the committee that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) issued Frequently Asked Questions and guidance that left districts with the responsibility to define how students demonstrate competency in English, mathematics and a science tested under the state assessment system. "Everyone is scrambling," a district administrator said, adding that area districts are sharing draft language and questions as they work through options.
District staff said they have no final recommendation yet and are targeting a February committee meeting to propose an amendment to the district's graduation‑requirements policy so that students in the class of 2025 will have a clear path to diplomas. Staff emphasized two points: (1) students will still need to demonstrate competency in the same subject areas that MCAS previously assessed, and (2) the district must ensure opportunities for students who previously did not meet competency in the traditional way (including some students with special education needs) to demonstrate competency under a new local system.
Staff described options under discussion, including coursework‑based demonstrations of competency and specific course requirements aligned to the subject‑area expectations. They also noted ambiguity in DESE communications about whether changes must be applied retroactively for students who previously did not receive a competency determination; district staff said they are seeking clarification.
Committee members asked about testing and accountability. District leaders said MCAS testing will continue and remain part of the state's accountability framework, even though passing MCAS is no longer the exclusive route to a diploma in all cases. Staff also said the state had already stopped offering retakes after Dec. 4 under the changed rules, which affects some students who were expecting another retake option.
