Scituate High School

Context and Background:

Massachusetts state law requires students to satisfy the requirements of the Competency Determination (CD) to graduate from high school. In November 2024, Ballot Question 2 amended the Competency Determination requirement.

In February 2025, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Board) voted to solicit public comments on proposed amendments to the regulations on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System and Standards for Competency Determination. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) invited public comment on the proposed regulatory changes from February 26 through April 4, 2025. At the May 20, 2025 Board meeting, the Board voted to amend the regulations. The amended regulations are available on the Department’s website.

Purpose:

The CD is one requirement a student must satisfy to graduate with a diploma from a Scituate High School. To graduate, a student must:

• Fulfill the CD requirement, as determined by Scituate Public Schools in this policy;
• Meet Scituate High School graduation requirements; and 
• For students with disabilities, have received a free and appropriate public education (FAPE). 

Graduation Requirements:

Students must earn 96 total credits to graduate from Scituate High School. Credits are earned though the successful completion of coursework in the following content areas:

• English Language Arts         16 credits
• Mathematics                          16 credits
• Science                                  12 credits
• History and Social Science   12 credits
• World Language                      8 credits
• Physical Education                  4 credits
• Arts                                          4 credits
• Health                                      4 credits
• Additional credits                   20 credits in any content area

Competency Determination Requirements:

To meet Competency Determination Requirements, students must:

• Demonstrate mastery of skills in English language arts, mathematics, and science by satisfactorily completing the relevant coursework aligned to the state standards for each content area. This mastery is attained by successfully completing the courses below with a passing grade (60) during grades 9-12:
  • English Language Arts 9 and English Language Arts 10 (or higher)
  • Mathematics: Geometry and Algebra 1 (or higher)
  • Science: Biology, Chemistry, or Physics
  • Social Studies: United States History I (beginning with the Class of 2027)

Students who met the CD standard in English language arts, mathematics, and/or science prior to January 3, 2025 (i.e., students who earned a CD through a regular or retest administration of the MCAS, or through a DESE appeal process) retain that benefit.

Students with Disabilities:

Scituate Public Schools is committed to promoting equitable access for all student groups. Consistent with federal law, Scituate Public Schools provides a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to students with disabilities and will determine that students have met CD and local graduation requirements prior to graduating students. Therefore, the accommodations and modifications outlined in students Individualized Education Plans (IEP) or Section 504 plans help to ensure that all students have equitable access to instruction and assessment. By ensuring equitable access for all students, they are able to demonstrate mastery consistent with state and local standards.

Determinations regarding how a student will meet graduation and CD requirements – including any alternative demonstrations of mastery permitted under 603 CMR 30.07 – are made collaboratively by the Local Educational Agency (LEA), the building principal or designee, and the IEP or 504 team. These determinations are reviewed as part of the student’s annual IEP or 504 plan review process, and revisited during the junior year to confirm the student’s progress toward meeting all requirements.

Special Education Students:

Students who attend approved Special Education Schools or Collaboratives must pass equivalent courses outlined above to meet the competency requirements and be eligible for a Scituate High School diploma.

Special Education Administrative Advisory

English Learners:

Students identified as English Learners (ELs) will receive appropriate support, including sheltered instruction, bilingual resources, and assessment accommodations. CD requirements remain the same, with support provided to ensure equitable access.

Late-Enrolling Students

Students who enroll after Grade 9 will have their transcripts reviewed by their school counselor and the principal. Requirements may be adjusted through transfer credits, credit recovery, or individualized pathways to align with both state CD and local graduation standards.

Appeals Process

Students or families who believe CD or graduation decisions are not accurate, or who experience extenuating circumstances, may file a written appeal to the Scituate High School Principal within 10 school days of notification. Appeals will be reviewed by a committee including the principal, assistant principal, special education administrator, and school counselor. A determination will be made in writing within 10 days of receipt of the appeal.

Diploma Requests for Previously Enrolled Students

Former Scituate Public Schools students who completed graduation requirements and CD standards but did not receive a diploma may submit a written request to the Director of Special Education for their diploma.

For students in the classes of 2003 through 2024 who did not earn a diploma as a result of failing to meet the state’s CD requirements, a diploma can be requested through the Director of Special Education. To earn a diploma, these students in the classes of 2003 through 2024 must have successfully earned a Certificate of Attainment. In these cases, the Director of Special Education will then make a determination about awarding their diploma based on the CD requirements coursework outlined in this policy.

Any Scituate Public Schools student who has not previously met the criteria for a Certificate of Attainment (indicating that they did not meet all local graduation requirements when they exited high school) must meet the district’s current CD requirements and local graduation requirements in order to earn a diploma.