File: IKFE
COMPETENCY DETERMINATION
One of the requirements for graduation in Massachusetts is a determination of competency in subjects previously covered by the MCAS. In addition to other requirements for graduation, students must have been determined by the district to have achieved mastery of the common core of skills, competency, and knowledge in said areas, and satisfactorily completed coursework that has been certified by the student's district as showing mastery of the skills, competencies, and knowledge contained in the state academic standards and curriculum frameworks.
Competency Determination (CD) Requirements
Students must meet both the local graduation requirements and the local CD requirements to earn a high school diploma. Students who met the CD standard in English language arts, mathematics, and/or science prior to January 3, 2025 (i.e., students who earned a CD through a regular or retest administration of the MCAS, or through a DESE appeal process) retain that benefit, and do not need to fulfill the requirements of this policy.
A determination of competency shall include:
Demonstrating a mastery of skills in English language arts, mathematics, and science; and the satisfactory completion of relevant coursework aligned to the standards measured by the high school English language arts, mathematics, and science MCAS assessments administered in 2023.
An additional requirement for mastery in US History will apply to the graduating class of 2027, and beyond.
In accordance with the SVRVTSD’s grading policy, a student must earn a final grade of 60% or higher in a course in order to earn full credit in that course.
To show mastery, a student must earn a grade of 65% or higher on the final assessment for a course, a capstone project, or a portfolio assessment; or earn an average of a 65% or higher on an equivalent measure consistent with the SVRVTSD’s grading policy.
A student enrolled in the SVRVTSD will be determined to have satisfactorily completed coursework and earned full credit in accordance with the district’s grading policy and the requirements outlined below:
Content Area | Coursework Requirements | Notes |
English Language Arts | The equivalent of two years of high school English language arts courses. | To satisfy this course requirement, the English Language Arts courses must be taken in grades 9-12. |
Mathematics | The equivalent of one year of both Algebra I and Geometry courses, or the equivalent of one year of both Integrated Math I and Integrated Math II. Whether to follow an Algebra/Geometry or Integrated Math I/II course sequence is determined by the district, but the equivalent length of the courses must still be met. | Middle school math courses may be certified by the district as meeting the coursework requirement for the mathematics component of the CD. Districts must confirm that the course aligns to the high school Algebra I/Geometry/Integrated Math I/Integrated Math II standards as listed in the 2017 Massachusetts Mathematics Curriculum Framework. |
Science | The equivalent of one year of any one of the following disciplines: Biology, Physics, Chemistry, or Technology/Engineering. | To satisfy this course requirement, the science course must be taken in grades 9-12. |
U.S. History (Beginning with the graduating class of 2027) | The equivalent of a one-year United States history course.
| To satisfy this course requirement, the U.S. History course must be taken in grades 9-12. |
Aligned Courses & Demonstration of Mastery
The SVRVTSD offers the following courses in alignment with the state curriculum frameworks that meet the above requirements.
English Language Arts
The SVRVTSD certifies the following courses as meeting the CD coursework requirement in English Language Arts – a student must earn full credit in two of the courses listed below to meet the CD in this content area:
Freshman English (all levels)
Sophomore English (all levels)
Junior English (all levels)
Senior English (all levels)
Concurrent Enrollment English Composition 1 + Honors Literary Analysis
Concurrent Enrollment English Composition 1
English Language Development (SVRVTSD’s ESL English course for students at the foundational level of English proficiency)
Similar courses with different names may be accepted for transfer students so long as courses were taken during grades 9-12.
To show mastery, a student must earn a grade of 65 or higher on final course assessments, a capstone project, or a portfolio assessment; or earn an average of a 65 or higher on an equivalent measure consistent with the SVRVTSD’s grading policy. These assessments have been designed to measure the skills, competencies, and knowledge that a student must demonstrate as identified in the relevant Massachusetts English Language Arts and Literacy Curriculum Framework for grades 9-12.
Mathematics
The SVRVTSD conducts transcript reviews for all incoming freshmen. The SVRVTSD certifies that students who successfully completed Algebra I at their sending district, earned a passing grade, and placed into Geometry at SVRVTSD after taking the district placement exam, meet the CD in Algebra I. Those students must earn full credit in Geometry (all levels).
Students who are placed into Algebra I as freshmen, must earn full credit in:
Algebra I (all levels) & Geometry (all levels)
Similar courses with different names may be accepted for transfer students so long as courses were taken during grades 9-12
To show mastery, a student must earn a grade of 65 or higher on final course assessments, a capstone project, or a portfolio assessment; or earn an average of a 65 or higher on an equivalent measure consistent with the SVRVTSD’s grading policy. These assessments have been designed to measure the skills, competencies, and knowledge that a student must demonstrate as identified in the relevant Massachusetts Mathematics Curriculum Framework for grades 9-12.
Science
The SVRVTSD certifies the following courses as meeting the CD coursework requirement in Science – a student must earn full credit in one of the courses listed below to meet the CD in this content area:
Biology (all levels)
Chemistry (all levels)
Physics (all levels)
Physical Science (all levels)
Similar courses with different names may be accepted for transfer students so long as courses were taken during grades 9-12.
To show mastery, a student must earn a grade of 65 or higher on final course assessments, a capstone project, or a portfolio assessment; or earn an average of a 65 or higher on an equivalent measure consistent with the SVRVTSD’s grading policy. These assessments have been designed to measure the skills, competencies, and knowledge that a student must demonstrate as identified in the relevant Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework for grades 9-12.
U.S. History (Beginning with the Class of 2027)
The SVRVTSD certifies the following courses as meeting the CD coursework requirement in U.S. History - a student must earn full credit in one of the courses listed below to meet the CD in this content area:
U.S. History I (all levels)
U.S. History II (all levels)
To show mastery, a student must earn a grade of 65 or higher on final course assessments, a capstone project, or a portfolio assessment; or earn an average of a 65 or higher on an equivalent measure consistent with the SVRVTSD’s grading policy. These assessments have been designed to measure the skills, competencies, and knowledge that a student must demonstrate as identified in the relevant Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Framework for grades 9-12.
Students with Disabilities
The SVRVTSD must both provide a Free and Appropriate Public Education to students with disabilities and must also determine that the student has met the competency determination and local graduation requirements prior to graduating that student. Students with disabilities who have been placed in out-of-district placements must meet the requirements of the competency determination policy of the placing school district. Discussion of the competency determination must be a part of the IEP Team’s transition planning.
English Language Learners
The SVRVTSD shall, on a case-by-case basis, determine the appropriate courses necessary for English Language Learners to both achieve language proficiency and meet the competency determination requirements.
English Learners meet ELA coursework requirements through grade-appropriate English Language Development (ESL English) courses that integrate skills, competencies, and knowledge that a student must demonstrate as identified in the relevant Massachusetts English Language Arts and Literacy Curriculum Framework for grades 9-12. English Learners who successfully complete a year-long English Language Development will be given credit for an English course that meets CD requirements.
Late-Enrolling Students
Students who enroll in a Massachusetts public high school after their ninth-grade year may be granted a determination of competency by the SVRVTSD in one or more of the following ways:
Transcript review by the Principal or Principal’s designee.
Additional course requirements as determined by Principal or Principal’s designee.
A qualifying MCAS score of at least meeting or exceeding expectations achievement levels on the relevant high school MCAS assessment; or by meeting the standard for a substituted equivalent that the district certifies satisfies the same academic standards.
Appeals Process
Current students and/or parents/guardians may appeal the determination of competency in accordance with the following district procedures:
§ If a student has not met the CD requirements, the student or their parent/guardian may submit an appeal to the Principal, in writing, no later than January 15th of the student’s senior year.
§ The Principal will conduct a review of relevant student records and then provide a response, in writing, to the student and their parent(s)/guardian(s) within 30 calendar days of receiving the appeal.
Those enrolled in the SVRVTSD in the classes of 2003 through 2024 that did not earn a diploma may also appeal the decision through the following process:
A written request may be submitted to the building Principal requesting a review of the student’s record to determine if the student is eligible for a diploma.
To be deemed eligible for a diploma, the individual must have been previously enrolled in the district, met all local graduation requirements, not previously reported as a graduate in any district’s Student Information Management System submission, and must meet the district’s current CD and local graduation requirements.
LEGAL REFS: DESE Graduation Requirements and Related Guidance
DESE Graduation and Transition Planning for Students with IEPs
DESE Competency Determination Guidance and Policy Submission Process
CROSS REFS: Student Handbook
IKF Graduation Requirements
SOURCE: MASC - 2025