Commissioner's Update
May 22, 2006

Dear Superintendents, and Leaders of Charter Schools and Collaboratives:

In this Update I have two announcements and seven items recently posted at www.doe.mass.edu for your review.

Update

Graduation Ceremonies for The Class of 2006

In a few weeks, high school seniors will be attending activities and ceremonies marking the end of their high school years. This is the fourth year that the high school diploma will be awarded to students who have met two conditions: they have achieved the state standards in English language arts and mathematics (the competency determination) and they have met local graduation requirements as well. As in previous years, I want to be certain that all of you are clear on the official Department of Elementary and Secondary Education position regarding students who will be receiving certificates of attainment or local certificates participating in graduation activities and ceremonies. I hope that all students who are concluding their 12th grade year will be recognized at a memorable and positive event at which they are acknowledged for their accomplishments and encouraged to continue pursuing educational opportunities and success. While a school committee may award the high school diploma only to students who have satisfied the competency determination requirement, there is no state prohibition against students attending or participating in graduation ceremonies even if they will not be receiving a diploma.

A bill pending in the Legislature, H. 4710, would specifically allow students with disabilities, who are completing their twelfth grade year in good standing and who meet certain criteria, to participate in graduation ceremonies and related school activities with their peers, even if they have not yet earned the competency determination and will not be receiving a diploma. If the bill is enacted into law, we will notify school officials promptly. In the meantime, I want to emphasize that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has no objection to students attending and participating in graduation ceremonies and related school activities even if they will not be receiving diplomas.

For students who have not yet met the competency determination standard, my hope is that they will receive the appropriate certificate at graduation ceremonies in June, take the MCAS retest when it is offered (see http://www.doe.mass.edu/news/news.asp?id=2866 for details about the summer retest), and subsequently receive a diploma from your high school. Further, I hope you are ensuring that your high school personnel are discussing plans with each and every student who still needs to earn a diploma. Help is available through local one-stop career centers; community college MCAS study programs; district and regional summer schools; and re-test opportunities. I urge you to encourage students and their parents to take advantage of the resources that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has identified.

High Schoolers Invited to Enter College and Career Outreach Contest

As many of you know, Massachusetts was selected by the National Governor's Association to be one of 10 "honors states" and receive grant funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to decrease dropouts, improve graduation rates and increase college and career readiness. We are in the midst of developing policies to make these goals come alive, and have launched a statewide contest for students to help us earn public support.

A successful public outreach campaign will be critical to the success of these reform efforts, so we have asked high schoolers to design a public information campaign to spread messages about either staying in school, planning for your future or the importance of a higher education. All public high school students are invited to enter. The winners will receive $1000 and have their entries be used as part of our outreach campaign this fall. All participants will also be invited to a Statehouse ceremony this summer, where all entries will be displayed and the winners will be announced.

Please encourage your students to submit an entry for this contest, either alone or as part of a group. In addition to being an opportunity to do some creative work, we believe these are three messages that all students should be considering as they move closer to graduation, and begin thinking about their futures. For more information and to download the contest rules and entry form look online at http://www.doe.mass.edu/news/news.asp?id=2881.

1. MCAS Updates
   
2. Veteran's Diplomas
   
3. Recruitment for Board of Education Advisory Councils
   
4. Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Education Course
   
5. High Schools of the Future II Conference Call for Presenters
   
6. Technology Enhancement Competitive Grants
   
7. College and Career Outreach Contest Information
   
   1. Additional Information
      
   2. Flyer Attention Students: Help Us Spread the Word
        
   3. Contest Rules
      
   4. Entry Form
        

Sincerely,

David P. Driscoll
Commissioner of Education