Scituate updates graduation requirements after MCAS change

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SCITUATE — The Scituate School Committee voted Dec. 8 to approve updated graduation requirements, clarifying how students will meet state competency standards following the removal of MCAS as a graduation requirement.

Committee members reviewed revisions to the district’s competency determination policy, which outlines how students must demonstrate mastery in English language arts, mathematics and science through coursework aligned with state standards.

School Committee Chair Nicole Brandolini said the changes were driven by state guidance rather than a shift in district philosophy.

“If anyone's been paying attention to any of our online AI news sources that are local, they've all been reporting on this as though it's like this groundbreaking news that all these school committees are doing this amazing work, but actually it's just everyone's becoming in compliance with DESE,” said Brandolini.

During the discussion, Brandolini raised concerns about how the policy defined a passing grade and whether the language was clear to families and community members.

“I think for us to define [what a passing grade is] in this document would be helpful,” Brandolini said.

She suggested specifying a numerical threshold to avoid confusion.

“I believe the answer is 60 and I think we should put it in there,” Brandolini said. “That’s what a lot of other districts are doing.”

Assistant Superintendent Ryan Lynch explained that the proposed benchmark reflects existing district practice for earning course credit.

“The number comes from the minimum numerical score that a student would need to earn to earn credit for a course,” Lynch said. The current Program of Studies for Scituate High School states that a grade of D- or better indicated successful completion. 

“If you earn that score, you receive credit for the course and would pass it,” he said.

Committee members also discussed the distinction between the state competency determination and local graduation requirements. School Committee Member Peter Gates asked whether the two were separate.

“Is the competency determination separate from the graduation requirement?” Gates said.

Lynch said students must meet both standards to earn a diploma.

“To graduate from high school in the state of Commonwealth Massachusetts, students have to achieve the competency determination,” Lynch said. “They also have to meet their local graduation requirements.”

He explained that the policy update follows the passage of Question 2, which removed MCAS as the state’s competency determination.

“With the passage of question two, it removed the MCAS as the competency determination requirement,” Lynch said. “All districts were basically compelled to come up with the competency determination criteria.”

Brandolini confirmed that the committee’s role was to ensure district policy aligns with state expectations while maintaining clarity.

The committee unanimously approved the revised policy, including language clarifying that a passing grade is defined as earning course credit.