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Rockport panel adopts local competency-determination language after MCAS graduation change
Summary
The Rockport School Committee approved local competency-determination (CD) language to align with a state law that removed MCAS as an automatic graduation requirement; the district will rely on passing coursework in specified 9–10 courses as the CD standard for now.
Rockport School Committee members voted March 5 to accept recommended local language for a competency determination (CD) after the state removed MCAS as a direct graduation requirement.
Presenter (name not specified in transcript) told the committee the district’s proposed CD would be satisfied "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 English, algebra 1 and geometry or geometry and algebra 2, introductory physics and 1 additional lab based science course" and recommended using a standard of 'passing' for the district’s initial implementation. The presenter said the change stems from the ballot law that took effect in December and noted the state has invited districts to participate in DESE think-tank conversations to clarify terms.
Superintendent Mark Bridal emphasized that MCAS will continue to be administered and used for accountability and data but "MCAS can't be used for graduation requirements" under the new law; district staff said scholarships and other MCAS-related programs remain unaffected. Committee members pressed for clarity about retest and makeup windows; presenters said makeups for absences will remain, while some high-school retest opportunities may change because they no longer serve as the mechanism to meet graduation requirements.
The committee moved, seconded and approved the CD language as presented by verbal "Aye" votes. Staff said the approved language will be posted publicly and incorporated into updated graduation policy and program-of-studies materials ahead of the coming year.
