Massachusetts’ competency requirements for graduating seniors has been temporarily modified in light of the COVID-19 related school closures. See message below from Commissioner Riley regarding the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education’s vote to modify the existing requirements.

News from Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley & the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

On the Desktop – April 29, 2020

Update on Competency Requirements for Class of 2020

Dear Superintendents, Charter School Leaders, and Assistant Superintendents,

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted yesterday to temporarily modify the competency determination requirement for current high school seniors during the COVID-19 emergency. Under this change, seniors who have not passed one or more of the high school MCAS tests will be able to earn the competency determination through successful completion of a relevant high school course.

For current high school seniors, as well as other actively enrolled students who were on track to graduate in the 2019-2020 school year (including the summer of 2020), the competency determination would be awarded in each subject as follows:

• For English language arts and mathematics ¬– upon district certification that the student earned credit this year for a course aligned to the curriculum frameworks in the relevant subject matter and has demonstrated competency in that subject. For students who were not enrolled in a course in the needed subject area during this school year, DESE will examine relevant coursework the district identifies for which the student received credit in previous school years.

• For science and technology/engineering – upon district certification that the student earned credit for a course aligned to the curriculum frameworks in the relevant subject matter and has demonstrated competency in one of the four tested disciplines (biology, chemistry, introductory physics, and technology/engineering) in either the current school year or a prior school year.

We are working out the details of this process and will share that information with you as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey C. Riley
Commissioner