Superintendent Thompson told the School Committee on Jan. 6 that voters’ passage of Question 2 in November removes the requirement to pass the MCAS test as a condition of high-school graduation, but does not eliminate students’ responsibility to take MCAS for state and federal accountability.

"It is no longer a high school graduation requirement," Thompson said, summarizing the change and reading the revised state language on competency determination. She said the statewide change means the competency determination will now be based on certified coursework aligned to the 2023 MCAS test subjects rather than on a passing MCAS score.

Thompson outlined how that will work in practice for students who have not yet earned a competency determination: districts must certify mastery through coursework. For students in the Class of 2025 who still lack competency, the district will require successful completion of grade 10 English, Algebra I and Geometry, and biology or introductory physics to meet the competency determination.

Thompson emphasized that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education still have responsibilities for regulations and that the state may provide additional guidance. "Right now, they are only looking at the short term, the class of 2025," she said, adding that much regulatory work remains at the state level and that the district will prepare local language and share it with stakeholders in February.

Committee members asked for clarity about retakes and diplomas. Thompson said students who passed MCAS in prior administrations (including the November 2024 retest) retain their competency determination. She also told the committee the district may be able to issue diplomas retroactively to former students who previously received a certificate of completion if their records show they meet the newly defined coursework criteria.

The superintendent said the district will update families, staff and students once the committee reviews the proposed Fitchburg competency-determination language; the committee will receive proposed language in February.