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Winchester presents local competency determination after Question 2 removes MCAS requirement
Summary
Curriculum staff outlined a one‑year local competency determination that pairs course credit with performance‑based assessments while the state develops long‑term rules; the district must submit a competency plan by Dec. 31.
Winchester curriculum staff on Dec. 4 presented a proposed local competency determination to replace MCAS as the state‑level graduation metric for the coming year, a change required after passage of Question 2 statewide.
The proposal, presented by curriculum staff (identified in the transcript as Doctor Ellenema), would keep local graduation requirements and add a competency determination that combines course requirements with performance‑based assessments (PBAs) and specified course completion in sciences and U.S. history for specified classes. "We were tasked with coming up with a competency determination that would be in effect for 1 year for next year, while they continue to work through their process," the presenter said, describing the district recommendation as a transitional approach while the state finalizes its plan.
Why it matters: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has signaled it may move toward end‑of‑course exams administered by a vendor while also including PBAs or capstones in the state algorithm. District staff said DESE expects districts to submit local competency determinations by Dec. 31 for the coming year.
Key elements and questions
The Winchester proposal would require students to complete specified courses and to demonstrate competency on at least one district‑wide PBA in the listed years (for example, across two years of high‑school English and two years of math), with accommodations and a waiver process for transfer students or other special cases. Staff emphasized the district already uses PBAs and standardized rubrics in many high‑school courses and that year‑to‑year calibration of rubrics and teacher scoring is ongoing.
Committee members praised the work and asked for clearer language on timing and the PBA requirement (for instance, whether students must complete one PBA in each listed year or one in total across the listed years). The presenter agreed to refine language and said staff would return with a revised document; the committee scheduled a follow‑up for Dec. 18.
Provenance: This summary is based on the competency determination presentation and discussion (transcript segments beginning with SEG 1952 through SEG 2290).
