Pursuant to its authority under 603 CMR 30.00: M.G.L. c. 69, §§ 1B and 1D; St. 2003, c.140, §119 and in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, M.G.L. c. 30A, § 3, the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Board) is soliciting public comment on the proposed amendments to 603 CMR 30.00, Regulations on MCAS and Competency Determination.
The proposed amendments to the regulations address changes in statute, and are designed to focus on student learning and promote academic equity for all students. Key provisions in 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," as authorized by the statute. The amended regulations add United States history to the areas included in the competency determination, beginning with the graduating class of 2027.
Offer options to address students' needs.
Provide oversight.
Copies of the proposed amendments are available on the Department's website at 2025 Public Comment Submission Page, or by calling 781-338-3535. Written comments on the proposed amendments may be submitted by mail to: Regulations Public Comment, c/o Commissioner's Office, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149, or by e-mail to: Competency.Determination@mass.gov . The deadline for submission of public comment is April 4, 2025 at 5pm. The Board is expected to vote on adoption of the proposed amendments at its regular monthly meeting in May 2025.