Proposed Amendments to Regulations on MCAS and Competency Determination

Public comment on the MCAS and Competency Determination Regulations may be submitted by completing the form below, or by emailing the address below, or by submitting written comment via mail to: Regulations Public Comment, c/o Commissioner’s Office, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149. The deadline to submit public comment is April 4, 2025 at 5:00 pm. The Board is expected to vote on the proposed amendments at its regular monthly meeting scheduled for May 20, 2025.

Key Information:

Link to Proposed Amendments to Current Regulations: item4.1-a603crm30-strikethrough.docx
Regulatory Authority: 603 CMR 30.00: M.G.L. c. 69, §§ 1B and 1D; St. 2003, c.140, §119
Summary of Proposed Amendments: In summary, the proposed amendments include the following: align the regulations to the new statutory language; define terms to provide clarity; specify minimum requirements to earn the competency determination; add “an additional area determined by the Board”; offer options to address students’ needs; and provide oversight.
Email Address to Submit Public Comment or Questions: Competency.Determination@Mass.gov

1. Contact information *This question is required.

First Name

Last Name

Email Address (or other contact information)

3. Organization/Affiliation (if applicable)

5. Please write any comments regarding the proposed amendments to section 30.02: "Definitions".

6. Please write any comments regarding the proposed amendments to section 30.03: "Standards for Competency Determination".

7. Please write any comments regarding the proposed addition of section 30.04: "District Certification".

8. Please write any comments regarding the proposed addition of section 30.05: "Audit".

9. Please write your comments regarding the proposed amendments overall.

Space Cell	In support of the proposed amendments	Mixed support, with specific suggestions to change aspects of the language	In opposition to the proposed amendments	Neutral
For the proposed changes to section 30.02: "Definitions"	For the proposed changes to section 30.02: "Definitions": In support of the proposed amendments	For the proposed changes to section 30.02: "Definitions": Mixed support, with specific suggestions to change aspects of the language	For the proposed changes to section 30.02: "Definitions": In opposition to the proposed amendments	For the proposed changes to section 30.02: "Definitions": Neutral
For the proposed changes to section 30.03: "Standards for Competency Determination"	For the proposed changes to section 30.03: "Standards for Competency Determination": In support of the proposed amendments	For the proposed changes to section 30.03: "Standards for Competency Determination": Mixed support, with specific suggestions to change aspects of the language	For the proposed changes to section 30.03: "Standards for Competency Determination": In opposition to the proposed amendments	For the proposed changes to section 30.03: "Standards for Competency Determination": Neutral
For the addition of section 30.04: "District Certification"	For the addition of section 30.04: "District Certification": In support of the proposed amendments	For the addition of section 30.04: "District Certification": Mixed support, with specific suggestions to change aspects of the language	For the addition of section 30.04: "District Certification": In opposition to the proposed amendments	For the addition of section 30.04: "District Certification": Neutral
For the addition of section 30.05: "Audit"	For the addition of section 30.05: "Audit": In support of the proposed amendments	For the addition of section 30.05: "Audit": Mixed support, with specific suggestions to change aspects of the language	For the addition of section 30.05: "Audit": In opposition to the proposed amendments	For the addition of section 30.05: "Audit": Neutral
Overall	Overall: In support of the proposed amendments	Overall: Mixed support, with specific suggestions to change aspects of the language	Overall: In opposition to the proposed amendments	Overall: Neutral

11. If you have any other comments on any other aspects of the proposed regulations changes, please write them here.

12. On behalf of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is seeking public comment on the following question:

In addition to the pathway proposed in the amendments to the regulations, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is seeking public comment on the question of whether to include a second, alternate pathway for earning the competency determination. The second pathway would be an additional route available to all students. It would be based on earning a qualifying score on the relevant high school MCAS assessment, which high school students are required to take.

13. If you would like to provide any supporting documentation, please upload it here.

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Proposed Amendments to Regulations on MCAS and Competency Determination - 2025 Public Comment