Worcester committee approves high-school mastery-grading guidelines and recommends keeping 65 passing grade

The Committee on Teaching, Learning and Student Success on Oct. 16 approved guidelines for a new high-school mastery-based grading framework negotiated between Worcester Public Schools and the EAW, and recommended to the Finance, Operations and Governance subcommittee that the district retain a 65 passing grade rather than lower it to 60.

The guidelines — described by Deputy Superintendent Marie Morris as the product of "many productive conversations with the EAW" — establish a 60/30/10 weighting structure for high-school grades, a lowered expectation of four major assignments per 10-week term (down from five), and a 10% category for practice or engagement. Morris said the district and union also agreed to provide professional development and teacher supports but that the specific PD schedule and detail remain under negotiation and will be reported back to the committee.

"We are very pleased to say we've had many productive conversations with the EAW regarding the…