On May 20, 2025, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (“BESE”) voted to approve amendments to Massachusetts regulations concerning the Competency Determination standard.[1]
Massachusetts public school students are required to meet a state standard, known as the Competency Determination, as well as local graduation requirements in order to graduate from high school. Students previously earned a Competency Determination by achieving qualifying scores on 10th-grade MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) tests in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science, but in November 2024, Massachusetts voters approved a ballot question prohibiting the use of a student’s MCAS scores as a basis for earning a Competency Determination. Accordingly, while MCAS tests will still be administered to high school students, they will no longer serve as the basis for earning a Competency Determination, absent limited exceptions. Please note, however, that students who met the Competency Determination standard in English Language Arts, Mathematics, or Science prior to January 3, 2025, retain that benefit.
Beginning with the graduating class of 2026, the amendments approved by BESE mean that Massachusetts public school students may earn a Competency Determination by showing mastery of a common core of skills, competencies, and knowledge in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science through satisfactory completion of coursework that is the equivalent of the following:
Beginning with the graduating class of 2027, students will also be expected to complete coursework in the equivalent of one (1) year of a U.S. history course to earn a Competency Determination.
Please reach out to K&B Education Team attorneys Bettina Toner (btoner@kb-law.com) and Eric Jordan (ejordan@kb-law.com) with any questions or requests you may have regarding the Competency Determination or graduation requirements.
Krokidas & Bluestein LLP’s Education Practice provides a full array of advice and guidance to charter schools and other education entities on a wide range of legal matters, including student discipline, special education, employment, governance, tax, regulatory and compliance matters, real estate, financing, and litigation.
[1] See 603 CMR 30.00.
