Medford School Committee voted Feb. 10 to approve an administrative update to the district's Medford High School graduation and competency-determination policy to reflect changes in state law that removed MCAS as the sole competency determinant for graduation.

Interim Superintendent Suzanne Gallucci presented the proposal and said the state's change (Ballot Question 2) replaces the MCAS-based competency determination with coursework aligned to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. "Participation is required," Gallucci said of MCAS testing, adding the district would continue to require students to take the tests because they remain an accountability measure for districts and a qualifier for some scholarships and seals of biliteracy.

The proposed local language keeps Medford's four-year English and mathematics requirements and shifts math labeling to the integrated-pathway courses (Integrated Math 1'3). It also specifies successful completion of grade 9'10 ELA coursework, participation in assigned MCAS ELA, math and biology tests (with at least one retest required for students who do not meet expectations), and the successful completion of high school biology aligned with state frameworks as the pathway for competency determination moving forward.

Why it matters: The change follows a statewide vote that 59% of Massachusetts voters supported; districts must translate the new statute into local policy while preserving any remaining local graduation credit and other Medford-specific requirements. Committee members pressed administrators for clarity about transfer students, English learners and students who previously took alternate assessments.

Discussion and clarifications
Administrators said students who already earned competency via prior MCAS scores or appeal processes will keep that determination. For transfer students, the district will rely on existing handbook processes and a collaborative review by high school leadership and department heads to approve equivalent coursework. Gallucci noted work is underway to identify a very small group of current seniors who may need outreach to confirm competency determinations, and staff said they are contacting caregivers.

Member Russo highlighted a policy consequence for students who previously took the alternate (Alt) MCAS: "I'm thrilled that the end of the MCAS requirement means that those students who have earned a diploma can get a diploma," she said, noting students who used the Alt had previously received certificates rather than diplomas. Member Rousseau recommended the draft include standard policy-service formatting and the required policy metadata at the end of the document.

Board action and next steps
Member Russo moved to approve the policy update; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. The committee asked administration to reformat the document in the district's official policy format and return it for the required second reading at a future meeting. Administrators told the committee they expect additional guidance from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education over the coming months and anticipated further local updates as new state guidance and implementation details emerge.

Ending
The committee did not change Medford's local credit totals; the update is intended to align local language with the new statute and clarify how the district will award competency determinations through coursework and required MCAS participation for accountability purposes.