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Rockport committee approves competency-determination language after MCAS graduation change
Summary
The committee approved draft language aligning Rockport’s competency determination to coursework after state law removed MCAS as an automatic graduation requirement. Administrators said MCAS remains required for accountability and that districts must adopt a local competency procedure.
The Rockport School Committee voted to accept draft competency-determination (CD) language intended to align district graduation requirements with recent changes removing MCAS as a direct graduation trigger.
Superintendent Mark Bridal introduced the proposal and invited a presenter to walk the committee through suggested language, saying the district must adopt a separate CD that documents mastery through coursework. "MCAS is still required by federal and state law. It's still connected to accountability, and you still need the CD in order to graduate," the presenter said while explaining the recommended language and the state’s evolving guidance. Principal Rose clarified the district will continue to require the same graduation courses; the difference is proving competency largely through satisfactory completion of coursework rather than MCAS passage.
Committee members asked whether retests and makeup windows will remain available; presenters said MCAS administration is still required but the widespread retake schedules tied to graduation may be scaled back. The motion to accept the CD language for this year passed by voice vote.
The district will bring finalized CD language and adjusted graduation-policy text forward at the subcommittee and subsequent full-committee meetings, and staff said Rockport will monitor DESE and the governor’s statewide graduation council for additional guidance.
