Education Laws and Regulations

Notice of Public Comment on the Proposed Amendments to 603 CMR 30.00, Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System and Standards for Competency Determination Regulations

Pursuant to its authority under M.G.L. c. 69, § 1B and 1D, 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 proposed amendments to 603 CMR 30.00, Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System and Standards for Competency Determination Regulations.

The proposed amendments would extend the interim passing standard for the Competency Determination (CD) through the class of 2025 for English language arts, mathematics, and science and technology/engineering. The proposed amendments, summarized below, are needed because of the unavoidable delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The amendments are as follows:

1. Update existing language to accurately reflect the delay in implementing the next- generation science and technology/engineering tests.

2. Extend the interim passing standard for all three subjects for two additional years-through the classes of 2024 and 2025. The class of 2024 will be entering 10th grade and the class of 2025 will be entering 9th grade in fall 2021. This proposed extension of the current CD standard would provide timely notice to these students, their families, and educators that the Board is maintaining the interim standard as to their graduating class, and allow time for the Board to consider, adopt, and provide fair notice of any new standard for future graduating classes.

Copies of the proposed amendments are available on the Department's website, or by calling 781-338-3625. Written comments on the proposed amendment may be submitted by mail to: Student Assessment Office, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148, by fax to: 781-338-3630 or by e-mail to: mcas@doe.mass.edu. The deadline for submission of public comment is August 6, 2021. The Board is expected to vote on the proposed amendment at its regular monthly meeting scheduled for September 21, 2021.