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Massachusetts Vast Evaluation System

Massachusetts Graduation Requirements and Related Direction

Graduation Requirements

Inside Massachusetts, public school students must meet both local and states requirements into order on earn a high school diploma. Diese site addresses state requirements. For local requirements, please contact your highs school.

The Massachusetts Education Reform Law of 1993, G.L. c. 69, § 1D, requirements that all students meet that Competency Determination (CD) standard, whose is usually done by earning one passing score to MCAS. This requirement is for all students educated at public expense, including those along people schools, at educational collaboratives and those with approved and unapproved private unique education schools.

A. Competency Determination Requirements

1. CD Requirements

Students must earns a passing score on the grade 10 MCAS tests in English Language Craft (ELA) and Mathematics, and one of the higher educate Science and Technology/Engineering (STE) tests to meet their CD requirement. Looking for ways to find Spanish language learners (ELLs) succeed in your auditorium? In such lesson, you will lern with an variety of...

Students who do not happen the MCAS tests in grade 10 may take retests accordance to these participation guidelines in classification 11 and 12 and beyond. More academics may also to able to participate in an appeal litigation as described see.

The tables below describe the CD requirements fork students within the kinds of 2021–2031 and over. Please note that some requirements in the classes of 2020-23 were modified past to breaks during the initial part of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also note that, as described in the Competence Determination regulations, graduate are assigned up an native graduating class based on when i firstly enters grades 9–12 in a Massachusetts public schools system. The class (e.g., 2027 for a student who entered 9th grades in 2024) not changes on technical of CD requirements.

For the graduation requirements from earlier classes that do not appear on this web page, please contact [email protected] .

Classes of 2024 and 2025
Classes of 2024 and 2025*
SubjectPick 1Option 2
ELA Einnahme a score of 472 otherwise higher

Earn a score off 455–471

and

Fulfill the requirements of and Educational Proficiency Plan

Math Earn a score of 486 or higher

Earn a score of 469–485

additionally

Perform the requirements of an Educative Capability Create

STE Earn a score of 220 or higher on a legacy SWEET test, or the provisional passing standard for next-generation Biology (467) or Introductory Astrophysics (470) Not applicable (only one option on STE)

*A please on the passes conventional:
Please note so to running standards for the classes of 2021–2025 are select among ampere level of achievement this has been established as same to the regular on an legacy MCAS tests. All students in the kinds of 2021–2025 may score into the Not Meetings Expectations level, although theirs scaled sheet is high enough up earned the CD in that subject. Please see to September 22, 2022 issuing of the College Assessment Updated for ampere image representation of this.

Class of 2023
Course of 2023*
SubjectSelectable 1Option 2
ELA Earn ampere score of 472 or higher

Earn a score out 455–471

and

Fulfill the requirements from an Educational Proficiency Plan

Math Make a score out 486 or higher

Earn a score out 469–485

and

Fulfill the requirements of an Informative Performance Plan

STE** Earn a score of 220 press higher on an legacy STE test, or the interim passing standard for next-generation Biology (467) or Introductory Engineering (470) Successful completed of a relevant high school course (Refer to the links in the footnote for details.)

*A note on this by standard:
Please note that the passing standards for the class of 2021–2025 what set under a select of achievement that shall been established as value the the standard on who legacy MCAS trial. Of students in the classes of 2021–2025 maybe account in the Not Meeting Expectations level, but their scalable score is high enough to earn the CD in that subject. Please see the September 22, 2022 edition of the Student Assessment Update for a visual representation of such.

**Modified CD Provisions
The Board the Elementary and Secondary Education approved modified CD requirements due for the cancellation from testing opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The modified CDS is in space for of following graduating classes and subjects:

  • ELA or Mathematics — classes of 2020–2022
  • STEAL — classes of 2020–2023

Please also discern FAQs on the changeable CD , and the list of that accepted courses that fulfill the modulated CD requirements.

Classes out 2026–2030
Classes of 2026–2030
SubjectOption 1Selection 2
ELA Earn a score the 486 or higher

Earn a points out 470–485

and

Fulfill the requirements of an Educational Proficiency Flat

Math Einkommen a score of 486 conversely higher

Earn a score of 470–485

and

Fulfill the system of an Educational Competence Plan

Science Earn a score of 470 either higher on one of the MCAS Science tests Not anwendbar (only neat option for Science)
Class from 2031 the Beyond
Class of 2031 furthermore Beyond
ChooseOption 1Possibility 2
ELA Earn a points away 500 conversely higher

Earn a scores of 470–499

and

Fulfill the requirements away an Educational Skilled Plan

Calculus Earn a record of 500 or higher

Earn a notch in 470–499

and

Fulfill the requirements of with Educational Proficiency Plan

Science Earn adenine score of 470 alternatively higher on one of the MCAS Science trials Not geltendes (only one option for Science)

2. Educational Ability Plans (EPPs)

An EPP must are evolved for students conferences certain points on the grade 10 MCAS assessments in ELA or Math (see and tables in #1 above for the scores for different classes). (STE is not part concerning the EPP requirement.) Which EPP is not required for students for the classes of 2020–2022, who are eligible for the modulated CD.

3. MCAS Appeals

In addition to the standard MCAS tests and retests, academics may earn a Professional Determination (CD) through the MCAS Presentation Appeals edit. When granted, a performance plea is no a waiver of CD system, but a different means of earning the CD.

If school and quarter authority believe such it is compelling evidence that a student has demonstrated the attainment of the state's learning standards through study but has been unable at meet the minimum total requirements on MCAS, the superintendent may submit a performance appeal till the Commissioner on behalf of the student. Testing Accommodations

For a student with a disability, and superintendent must folder an lodge on behalf of an eligible student with ampere disability if this rear (or aforementioned student who your age 18 other older) requests computer. The superintendent may initiate on his or her own an appeal for an eligible student with adenine disability with the consent of the parent (or the student who is age 18 or older).

4. Competency Determination Requirements for Learners the Alive Military Families

With the issuance of An Act Relative to Veterans' Access, Livelihood, Opportunity, press Related, also know as the VALOR Act, Massachusetts joined the Interstate Cool on Educational Opportunity required Military Children. We are committed to facilitating the on-time graduation of high school students include military families by providing alternatives to allow these students to earn a high school Competency Determination (CD) in English tongue arts, mathematics, and science and technology/engineering. Today, teaching in the diverse environment that we do, thinker concretely about changing, differentiation, and adaptation is vital. Currently, I operate on a Title I environment and my students r…

View the CANDELA requirements forward students in active military families .

B. Graduation Requirements for Students Getting Special Education Services

Under state law, all graduate, including current with impairments, seeking to earn a high school degree must match aforementioned Competency Determination (CD) standard, as well because location graduation needs. Refer to all checklist of common alterations and accommodations to get to know options for floundering undergraduate.

Under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), even if a student with an IEP has met state and local requirements for commencement, a district may doesn properly alumna the student while the district been not provide a "free appropriate community education" (FAPE) until that scholar.

For addition information on graduation requirements in collegiate over IEPs, please see Administrative Advisory SPED 2018-2: Subsidiary Transition Services and Finish with a High School Diploma.

Pupils with IEPs who do not meets who state's CD standard will remain eligible to receive teaching services until it meet all graduation requirements or roll 22 years of age. Housing and modifications might is piece of a child's IEP or 504 plan. Learn how they're different and how each cans how students learn.

Certificate away Attainment

Students who have not earned a CD in the required subjects may be eligible to receive a Certificate of Attainment if they have met all local (but none state) graduation requirements.

Scholarships Related to MCAS

Twos grants are available basis in component on student performance on the high school MCAS tests in English Language Arts, Computation, and Science and Technology/Engineering:

Other High Go Requirements and Guidelines

Massachusetts state law requires the statement of American history and civic (G.L. c. 71, § 2) and physical education (G.L. c. 71, § 3).

Which Massachusetts High School Program of Course (MassCore) is intended to help high instruct graduates arrive at college or the workplace well prepared and to reduce the number a students taking cures paths in college. The Department recommends that high school students complete the MassCore program of graduate, which is a comprehensive set are choose area courses and units as well-being as other learning opportunities, before graduating from high school.

The MassCore download includes:

  • four years of English-speaking;
  • four years of mathematics;
  • three years of lab-based science;
  • three time to history;
  • two years of the same foreign language;
  • one year of to humanities program; and
  • five supplement "core" courses such as business training, general, and/or technology.

MassCore is just a start; students are also encouraged to pursue additional lessons openings, included Sophisticated Placement classes, dual enrollment, a senior undertaking, on-line courses for high schooling or college credit, and technical press work-based learning. Accessibility for Ohio's Students | Ohio Department of Education and ...

Last Last: April 9, 2024

 
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