District/School Administration Administration
The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education

Educational Proficiency Plans

After the release of the 2008 MCAS results, the media took an interest in the requirement for students who did not score at least 240 (Proficient) to complete an Educational Proficiency Plan (EPP) in order to meet the Competency Determination standard for high school graduation. Some of the articles were inaccurate or misleading, prompting questions from many of you about the policy. This memo and the attached Q&A document are intended to clear up any questions about the policies surrounding the EPP regulation.

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted in October 2006 to amend the Competency Determination standard, requiring all students to either reach proficiency on the grade 10 English language arts (ELA) and math standards or take additional steps to strengthen their knowledge and skills in those areas before graduation.

According to the regulation adopted by the Board, beginning with the class of 2010, students who score below Proficient on either the grade 10 ELA or math exams will be required to complete an EPP in each content area in which they did not score at least a 240. Each EPP must include:

• A review of the student's strengths and weaknesses;
• The courses the student will be required to take and successfully complete in grades 11 and 12 in the relevant content area; and
• A description of the assessments the school will administer to the student annually to determine whether he or she is making progress toward proficiency.

Based on the 2008 MCAS results we released last month, 80 percent of students in the class of 2010 scored at least at the Needs Improvement level in ELA, mathematics and science & technology/engineering. That said, 60 percent of students in the class scored Proficient or higher in both ELA and Math, leaving 20 percent (about 16,500 in ELA and 15,000 in math) who will require an EPP (the EPP requirement does not pertain to science & technology/engineering).

The EPP was established to ensure that students who score below the proficient level receive the additional rigorous coursework and academic help they need in grades 11 and 12 that will prepare them for college and a career. Graduation requirements differ from district to district in Massachusetts, and this policy requires students to continue to study English and/or math until they demonstrate proficiency on our tenth grade standards or graduate. This aligns with our goal to provide all students with the skills they need to succeed after high school.

As a practical matter, the EPP requirement means that schools must provide additional curriculum and instruction for students who score below Proficient, and assess their progress as a condition of graduation. It is important to remember that there are no high stakes tied to this additional assessment; they are required to be assessed in the content area to track their progress toward proficiency, nothing more.

Deputy Commissioner Jeffrey Nellhaus and Stafford Peat will both be present at the Board meeting to respond to any further questions.

Enclosure:

	Educational Proficiency Plan Regulations
	Q&A on Educational Proficiency Plans [ No longer available ]
	Achievement Gap Charts