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LAE board approves revised MCAS competency-determination policy after DESE updates
Summary
The Lawrence Alliance for Education board on Oct. 8 adopted revisions to its MCAS competency-determination policy after updated guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education required districts to document students mastery of skills in addition to course completion.
The Lawrence Alliance for Education board on Oct. 8 approved revised language for the districts MCAS competency-determination policy that reflects recent guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
The revisions require that, in addition to satisfactorily completing relevant coursework, students must demonstrate "mastery of skills" to meet competency determinations for graduation. Dr. Lynn Gutierrez, who briefed the board, said districts may document mastery through final course assessments, portfolios or projects, and only in limited circumstances may a students MCAS result be used as the competency measure.
"In addition to satisfactorily completing the relevant coursework ..., we now also have to have students show mastery of skills," Dr. Gutierrez told the board during her presentation. She also noted that DESE has added U.S. history as a competency-determination subject for the graduating class of 2027.
District staff told the board they plan to use common final assessments across high schools where possible and a common scoring guide to ensure comparability. The board asked about rubrics and cross-school consistency; Dr. Gutierrez said the district will develop common assessments and a scoring guide, and that the DESE liaison had given tentative approval to the approach pending the districts formal submission. The district must submit the updated policy to DESE by Dec. 31 for final approval, she said.
The revised policy also includes updated procedures for transfer students, English learners and students with disabilities. Dr. Gutierrez emphasized that districts must document evidence of mastery for transfer students and coordinate with out-of-district placements for students with disabilities to ensure they have opportunities to meet competency requirements. The policy outlines an appeals process: appeals must be submitted in writing to the school principal, a meeting must be scheduled within 10 school days, and a written decision provided within five school days.
Board members asked whether the districts definition of mastery had received DESEs approval. Dr. Gutierrez said the DESE liaison "gave us the green light" to proceed but that final approval will follow DESE review of the formal submission.
The motion to approve the revisions passed by roll call vote.
