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In Massachusetts, public school students must meet both local and state requirements in order to earn a high school diploma. The Massachusetts Education Reform Law of 1993, G.L. c. 69, § 1D, requires that all students meet the Competency Determination (CD) standard, which is usually done by earning a passing score on MCAS.
About MCAS Graduation Requirements: The last "typical" school and MCAS year, prior to Covid, was 2019. No MCAS exams were given in 2020. As a result, subsequent graduating classes have different requirements. The Class of 2026 will be the new baseline class relative to post-Covid teaching and learning.
About MCAS Graduation Requirements: The last "typical" school and MCAS year, prior to Covid, was 2019. No MCAS exams were given in 2020. As a result, subsequent graduating classes have different requirements. The Class of 2026 will be the new baseline class relative to post-Covid teaching and learning.
Class of 2023 MCAS Requirements
Class of 2023 MCAS Requirements
Students in the Class of 2023 must pass ELA and Math MCAS Exams (see scores on the left). Students in the Class of 2023 are not required to have taken the STE (biology) MCAS.
Classes of 2024 and 2025 MCAS Requirements
Classes of 2024 and 2025 MCAS Requirements
Students in the Classes of 2024 and 2025 must pass ELA, Math, and STE (legacy Chemistry or Technology/Engineering, or interim passing score on Biology or Introductory Physics) MCAS Exams (see scores on the left).
Classes of 23, 24, and 25
Classes of 23, 24, and 25
Classes of 23, 24, and 25
Classes of 23, 24, and 25
MCAS Interim Standards
MCAS Interim Standards
Classes of 2026-2030 MCAS Requirements
Classes of 2026-2030 MCAS Requirements
Students in the Classes of 2026-2030 must pass the ELA, Math, and Bio MCAS Exams. The difference between these classes and previous classes is that the cut scores for ELA and Math are significantly higher. The cut score to earn "Meeting Expectations" in ELA will rise from 472 to 486. The lowest acceptable passing score in ELA will be 470 rather than 455. Math will only change by 1 point, rising from a lowest possible passing score of 469 to 470.
Side-by-Side Comparison of Requirement from Class of 2023-2030
Side-by-Side Comparison of Requirement from Class of 2023-2030
GRADE 10 ELA AND MATH SCHEDULE
GRADE 10 ELA AND MATH SCHEDULE
GRADE 9 BIOLOGY SCHEDULE
GRADE 9 BIOLOGY SCHEDULE
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