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After Question 2, Cambridge panel outlines local competency plan and timeline
Summary
Superintendent and school leaders presented a proposed local competency determination (CD) for high-school diplomas after Massachusetts' Question 2 removed MCAS as a graduation requirement; staff urged adoption ahead of a state-imposed deadline and described appeals, accommodations, and how CD would be assessed in ELA, math, science and history.
Superintendent Murphy and high-school leaders presented the district's proposed approach to a local competency determination (CD) after the November ballot change removed MCAS as a statewide graduation requirement.
Jennifer Amagon, director of assessment, said MCAS remains required for administration and for some federal/accountability purposes but noted a decline in MCAS engagement after Question 2: "We had 26 blank responses in our most recent data set compared to 8 blank responses the year before," she said. The presentation emphasized that the district will use multiple measures beyond MCAS, including course completion plus a final assessment (portfolio, exam, or equivalent) in ELA, math, science and history.
Principal Gahan and other presenters said the CD policy would include appeals, special-education considerations and pathways for late-enrolling students; staff indicated they plan to bring a policy recommendation in December because the Commonwealth expects districts to adopt a CD by the end of the calendar year. Committee members asked about which entering classes would be affected and were told implementation could start with the class of 2027 and that students would have opportunities in 11th and 12th grades to meet CD if they did not meet the requirement in 9th or 10th grade.
