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Subcommittee discusses local competency determination after MCAS is no longer a graduation requirement
Summary
Instructional subcommittee reviewed DESE guidance and local proposals for how students in the Class of 2025 who have not met MCAS competency can meet local graduation criteria; staff provided counts and a draft framework and the committee discussed timeline and reporting concerns.
The Fall River Instructional Subcommittee on Jan. 7 reviewed new DESE guidance about competency determination after the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) was decoupled from graduation and discussed a proposed local approach for the class of 2025.
Staff outlined an approach that would allow students who have not earned competency via MCAS to meet a local competency determination through passing specified course equivalents: grade‑10 English, appropriate algebra/geometry coursework, and a lab science (biology or physics). The district proposed applying this path for the current Class of 2025 and developing a longer‑term framework for subsequent classes.
A district staff member who presented draft data said 133 students in the district’s Class of 2025 have not yet met an MCAS competency determination; of those 133, 33 were identified as students on a non‑diploma track (students with certain disabilities). That left about 100 students in the general diploma track; guidance counselors indicated about 92 of those students appear to meet coursework requirements and, if required courses (Algebra 1 and geometry; English grade 10; biology or physics) are met, staff estimated 85 of the 92 would qualify under the draft local standard.
Staff emphasized the need to provide a plan to DESE promptly for the Class of 2025 and to preserve sufficient opportunities for students to be scheduled into needed courses during the semester change. Committee members and staff discussed operational issues including whether the district should encourage or require participation in MCAS for accountability data, how to handle students who transferred into the district and had not previously taken MCAS, and whether transcript‑review or other review processes should be used for prior cohorts.
The subcommittee did not adopt a final policy that night but discussed bringing a proposed local competency determination for the Class of 2025 to the full committee by February so that students can be scheduled appropriately during the January semester change. A motion to refer the draft competency determination to the full committee was made and recorded for follow‑up.
Staff said they would return with specific language for local graduation and competency determination for the Class of 2025, a plan for transcript review appeals for prior cohorts, and a recommendation about MCAS participation messaging for students and families.
