Competency Determination
– As approved by the School Committee, November 2025
One of the requirements for graduation in Massachusetts is a determination of competency in subjects previously covered by the MCAS. In addition to other requirements for graduation, students must have been determined by the district to have achieved mastery of the common core of skills, competency, and knowledge in said areas, and satisfactorily completed coursework that has been certified by the student's district as showing mastery of the skills, competencies, and knowledge contained in the state academic standards and curriculum frameworks.
Additional Considerations
Students with Disabilities: The Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical School District must both provide a Free and Appropriate Public Education to students with disabilities and must also determine that the student has met the competency determination and local graduation requirements prior to graduating that student. Students with disabilities who have been placed in out-of-district placements must meet the requirements of the competency determination policy of the placing school district. Discussion of the competency determination must be a part of the IEP Team’s transition planning.
One of the requirements for graduation in Massachusetts is a determination of competency in subjects previously covered by the MCAS. In addition to other requirements for graduation, students must have been determined by the district to have achieved mastery of the common core of skills, competency, and knowledge in said areas, and satisfactorily completed coursework that has been certified by the student's district as showing mastery of the skills, competencies, and knowledge contained in the state academic standards and curriculum frameworks.
Competency Determination (CD) Requirements
A determination of competency shall include: Demonstrating a mastery of skills in English language arts, mathematics, and science; and the satisfactory completion of relevant coursework aligned to the standards measured by the high school English language arts, mathematics, and science MCAS assessments administered in 2023. An additional requirement for mastery in US History will apply to the graduating class of 2027 and beyond.
- The district-created competency determiner assessment for the CD subject matters; or
- The M1 and/or M2 assessment in a CD subject matter; or
- A capstone or portfolio project
A student enrolled at BVT will be determined to have satisfactorily completed coursework and earned full credit in accordance with the district’s grading policy and the requirements outlined below:
| Content Area | Coursework Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| English Language Arts |
9th & 10th Grade English | Similar courses covering the same standards taken in grades 9–12 may be accepted for transfer students. |
| Mathematics | Algebra I or Algebra II & Geometry |
Similar courses covering the same standards taken in grades 9–12 may be accepted for transfer students. |
| Science | Biology, Physics, or Chemistry |
Similar courses covering the same standards taken in grades 9–12 may be accepted for transfer students. |
| U.S. History (beginning YOG 2027) |
U.S. History I or |
Similar courses covering the same standards taken in grades 9–12 may be accepted for transfer students. |
Additional Considerations
Students with Disabilities: The Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical School District must both provide a Free and Appropriate Public Education to students with disabilities and must also determine that the student has met the competency determination and local graduation requirements prior to graduating that student. Students with disabilities who have been placed in out-of-district placements must meet the requirements of the competency determination policy of the placing school district. Discussion of the competency determination must be a part of the IEP Team’s transition planning.
English Language Learners: The Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical School District shall, on a case-by-case basis, determine the appropriate courses necessary for English Language Learners to both achieve language proficiency and meet the competency determination requirements.
Late-Enrolling Students or Students with Extenuating Circumstances: Students who enroll in a Massachusetts public high school after their ninth-grade year may be granted a determination of competency by the Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical School District in one or more of the following ways:
Transcript reviews will be conducted for students transferring from other school systems to determine if they have satisfactorily completed the required coursework for competency determination. Transfer students are eligible to take any of the district-designed competency determiners at any time, once enrolled, for demonstration of mastery if their previous placement did not certify mastery.
If the district cannot document a student’s prior coursework or mastery of skills and/or a student’s circumstances prevent either of these documentations from occurring through the primary declared pathways, the student may alternatively demonstrate mastery or participate in relevant coursework by:
- Attaining a score that is considered above “not meeting expectations” on the relevant high school MCAS assessment(s); or
- Satisfactorily completing a substituted equivalent course at BVT or through an approved alternative provider that the district certifies to meet the same academic standards.
- students transferring from out of the country or out of the state.
- students who are considered migrants or students with limited or interrupted formal education
- students on an extended medical leave
- students who were unable to participate in previous coursework or demonstration of mastery opportunities due to factors outside of their control
Appeals Process
Current students and/or parents/guardians may appeal the determination of competency in accordance with the following district procedures:
Students who the district determines do not meet the CD requirement will be notified in writing by August 1 prior to the start of the next school year. Students who have met the coursework requirement but do not meet the mastery requirement may appeal to the Principal. The appeal must be in writing and endorsed by the parent/guardian. The appeal must be received by August 31. Any appellant who has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) will automatically have an appeal filed on their behalf by the district. A review of the appellant(s) will be conducted by the Administrative Team to determine if the student can be granted CD through a cohort appeal process based on grades in the required course(s) or any other available alternative method. The appellant(s) will be notified of the outcome on or before September 30. Should this review indicate that the student would still not qualify for the CD, the Principal or designee will discuss the other available options for the student to show mastery described on the previous page. Students who have not shown mastery will remain eligible to take the district-designed competency determiner(s) until their date of graduation.
Students from the classes of 2003 – 2024 who did not earn CD through the MCAS exam may appeal to the Principal for a transcript review at any time. A review of the appellant(s) will be conducted by the Administrative Team to determine if the student can be granted CD. The appellant(s) will be notified of the outcome within 30 days of the date of their appeal(s). Should the transcript review indicate that the student would still not qualify for CD the student may take courses through an approved provider.
LEGAL REFS:
DESE Graduation Requirements and Related Guidance
DESE Graduation and Transition Planning for Students with IEPs
DESE Competency Determination Guidance and Policy Submission Process
603 CMR 30.00
M.G.L. c. 69, § 1D
CROSS REFS: Student Handbook IKF Graduation Requirements
SOURCE: MASC, 2025
ADOPTED: November 20, 2025