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Springfield committee told state removed MCAS graduation rule; district must set local competency policy for class of 2025
Summary
State law change removes MCAS as automatic graduation gate for 10th graders; district staff told the committee the district must adopt a local competency determination for the class of 2025 and 2026 while awaiting state guidance.
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has removed the MCAS exam as an automatic graduation requirement for 10th graders, and Springfield Public Schools must now define a local competency determination for members of the class of 2025 and 2026, district staff told the school committee on Jan. 22.
That change follows a state executive order and new statutory language. Doctor Yolanda Johnson, a district presenter, said the new law requires that competency be determined “based on academic standards and curriculum frameworks” and that a student must demonstrate mastery by satisfactorily completing district-certified coursework in tested areas, including English language arts, mathematics and science and technology/engineering.
The committee was told the change does not remove MCAS as an assessment the state will use for accountability. Johnson said the district must act quickly to set interim local policies for the current cohorts while a statewide graduation council convened by the governor prepares recommendations due in December 2025.
Why it matters: students who have not yet met the prior MCAS-based competency determination remain in limbo for graduation decisions, and families need clarity well before senior year end-of-year deadlines. Committee members and staff emphasized urgency: subcommittees will draft policy and recommend an approach that preserves Springfield’s existing local graduation requirements and MassCore alignment.
What staff recommended and next steps: Johnson and Superintendent Dr. Donnell said the district will form a multidisciplinary team to propose short-term rules for the class of 2025 and 2026, revise the pupil-progression plan to remove obsolete MCAS language, and present policy options to a school committee subcommittee in the coming weeks. The district also said it is consulting neighboring districts and awaits the statewide council’s interim report in December 2025.
Committee discussion highlighted three recurring concerns: (1) ensuring any alternative maintains college- and career-readiness expectations, (2) communicating fast to affected students and families so they can plan, and (3) avoiding unintended equity gaps when coursework-based pathways replace a uniform test. Several committee members noted the work will touch curriculum, counseling and grading practices.
No final rule was adopted at the meeting; the committee directed staff to bring draft policy language and implementation timelines to subcommittee for approval before a full-committee vote.
Springfield Public Schools will continue to administer MCAS for 10th graders until state guidance changes what the scores mean for graduation and accountability.
