Just days after Massachusetts voted to eliminate MCAS-based high school graduation requirements, new guidance was shared by the state – outlining what this change will soon look like.
The Associated Press reports that about 59% of the state voted “Yes” on Ballot Question 2 on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education claims that the first change to these requirements could come as early as December 5 in some districts.
In a letter to superintendents and district leaders, the DESE explained: “Effective on the date the new law takes effect, students who have not yet obtained the CD would become eligible by ‘satisfactorily completing courses certified by the student’s university’. district.’ Certification guidelines will follow.”
They added: “Students who have already achieved the qualifying MCAS scores in math, ELA, and science by the effective date have earned their CD and are eligible to receive a high school diploma, provided they meet their local graduation requirements.”
The letter claims that students scheduled to take the exam in November can complete graduation requirements through MCAS.
The Massachusetts Teacher’s Association campaigned for months on the ballot question.
“We’re glad it worked out,” said Max Page, president of the MTA. “Districts will confirm that students have met our high state standards.”
Page says districts will now oversee student certification against state-provided curriculum standards for the entire state.
He asked: “How do we judge it? We do them with teachers in classrooms, with grades, with tests, with labs, with research papers, with class participation.”
Parents outside Dedham Middle School were divided over the new normal in Massachusetts.
“I think it gave us an advantage,” said Nate, father of a sixth-grader. “There is no easy way to track performance. A lot of it is localized. What constitutes strong performance in one school district is different from what you see in another school district.”
Others were very happy when they heard about the voting results.
“I don’t think it’s fair to kids who have learning disabilities,” said Ruth Mederios, mother of two Dedham Middle School students. “They get assessments from their teachers all the time. That should say whether or not they can graduate.”
The DESE claims that the state will issue certification guidelines to districts in the near future.
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