March 21, 2025 – Due to a new state law, there are important updates to the MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) testing and graduation requirements in the Wellesley Public Schools.
Since 2003, in order for students to receive a high school diploma in Massachusetts, they were required to meet both local graduation requirements and the State Competency Determination, as measured by MCAS tests. As a result of a new law, starting on December 5, 2024, MCAS can no longer be used to meet the State Competency Determination requirement.
- Students who have earned the Competency Determination before December 5, 2024 through the ELA, Math, and Science/Technology Engineering high school MCAS tests have fulfilled this requirement.
- Students who have not yet earned the Competency Determination before December 5, 2024, may no longer use MCAS to fulfill the State Competency Determination. Instead, these students must satisfactorily complete coursework that has been certified by the student’s district as showing mastery of the skills, competencies, and knowledge measured by the high school MCAS tests in ELA, Math and Science/Technology Engineering.
On March 18, the Wellesley School Committee approved the District’s Competency Determination (CD) proposal, to align with the new state law. Wellesley High School graduation requirements remain the same and the State Competency Determination remains an additional requirement to earn a high school diploma.
MCAS testing continues to be a state requirement for all students in Grades 3-10. MCAS results will continue to be used for district accountability, Seal of Biliteracy, and State scholarships. The full 2025 MCAS schedule can be found here. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your student’s principal with any questions.