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Rockport committee adopts local competency-determination language after MCAS graduation change
Summary
The Rockport School Committee voted March 5 to adopt staff-recommended language for a local competency determination after state law removed MCAS as a graduation requirement; the CD will be based on satisfactory completion of specified Grade 9–10 coursework, while MCAS remains required for federal/state accountability.
The Rockport School Committee voted March 5 to accept district language that defines how students will meet a competency determination (CD) after a state law removed the MCAS test as a graduation requirement.
District staff told the committee the recommended CD requires students to satisfactorily complete Grade 9 and 10 coursework that demonstrates mastery in English, the student's algebra/geometry sequence, introductory physics and one additional lab-based science or another course approved by the administration. "By satisfactorily completing the coursework that demonstrates the mastery of the skills, competencies, and knowledge covered by the standards and curriculum frameworks for grade 9 and grade 10 ... students will have met the competency determination," a district presenter said.
The presenter noted that MCAS testing itself remains required by state and federal law for accountability and data purposes even though it no longer determines graduation status. "All of the MCAS are still there — the scores are still there, the growth is still there. It just doesn't count for your CD requirement anymore," the presenter said. Staff also warned that the state may refine definitions of "mastery" and "satisfactorily" in coming months through DESE work and a statewide graduation council.
Committee members asked how the CD differs from prior practice. A district presenter and the principal clarified that the CD aligns with existing graduation coursework — counselors already track required courses on student transcripts — so the change formalizes what coursework qualifies rather than adding new course requirements.
After committee discussion, the committee approved the CD language as presented. The committee also directed that the language be shared publicly, translated as needed and integrated into the district's graduation policy and program-of-studies materials. The committee will revisit state-level clarifications and any updates from DESE as they are issued.
