Background: In 2024, Massachusetts voters approved Ballot Question 2, shifting responsibility for awarding the Competency Determination (CD) from the state to local districts. Previously, students earned the CD through the MCAS exam alone. Under the updated law and regulations (603 CMR 30.00), districts must now determine and certify that students have demonstrated competency in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and (beginning with the Class of 2027) U.S. History.
This represents a significant shift — one that aligns well with LMACS’s mission and student-centered model. For decades, LMACS has focused on meeting students where they are, providing flexible pathways to mastery, and ensuring that all students have real opportunities to succeed academically, socially, and professionally.
Our students, many of whom enroll over-age and under-credited or after interrupted schooling, benefit from a system that recognizes course-based competence, not single-test performance. The new statewide CD model affirms what LMACS has always believed: competence is demonstrated through learning, engagement, revision, and authentic work — not one moment in time.
LMACS Educational Model & CD Alignment: LMACS uses a flexible, student-centered model grounded in relationship-building, personalized learning, and engagement in relevant, meaningful work. Students participate in:
- Learning Lab, where they progress at their pace with teacher coaching
- Seminars, where they experience collaborative, high-interest coursework
- LTI experiences, including internships, community engagement, and passion projects
- Advisory, where ILPs, Skills for Success, exhibitions, portfolio development, and post-secondary planning take place
Coursework is structured to emphasize revision, feedback, and competency, not seat time. Students demonstrate understanding through assessments, writing, projects, performance tasks, exhibitions, and applied work connected to their goals and future plans. This educational model aligns naturally with a CD system based on successful completion of aligned coursework, rather than test scores.
Section 1: Competency Determination Requirements
A student shows mastery by successfully completing the major assessments, performance tasks, projects, or final evaluations required in the course. These assessments are aligned with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and are designed to demonstrate a student’s understanding of the key skills and competencies within the subject area. A passing grade of 65 signifies mastery sufficient for meeting the Competency Determination (CD).
- English Language Arts (ELA): To meet the ELA Competency Determination, students must satisfactorily complete the equivalent of two years of high school ELA coursework. LMACS certifies the following courses as meeting the ELA CD requirement: Literature, Nonfiction, Composition, Research Writing. Students demonstrate mastery by successfully completing reading, writing, analytical, and research assignments aligned to the Massachusetts ELA Curriculum Frameworks. These include extended writing tasks, source-based analysis, comprehension assessments, and research-based projects. A passing grade indicates mastery sufficient for the ELA CD.
- Mathematics: To meet the Mathematics Competency Determination, students must satisfactorily complete coursework equivalent to one year of Algebra I and one year of Geometry. LMACS certifies the following courses as meeting this requirement: Algebra 1A, Algebra 1B, Geometry A, Geometry B. Students demonstrate mastery through performance tasks, multi-step problem-solving, algebraic reasoning, coordinate geometry, geometric proofs and applications, and end-of-course assessments aligned to the Massachusetts Mathematics Curriculum Frameworks. A passing grade in each course indicates mastery for CD purposes.
- Science: To meet the Science Competency Determination, students must satisfactorily complete the equivalent of one full year of Biology. LMACS certifies the following courses: Biology A, Biology B. Mastery is demonstrated through inquiry-based assignments, lab investigations, scientific explanations, assessments of disciplinary core ideas, and written or performance tasks aligned to the MA Science and Technology/Engineering Framework. A passing grade reflects sufficient mastery for the Science CD.
- U.S. History: Beginning with the Class of 2027, students must satisfactorily complete the equivalent of one full year of U.S. History. LMACS certifies the following courses as meeting this requirement: U.S. History A, U.S. History B. Students demonstrate mastery by completing document analysis tasks, research assignments, historical reasoning assessments, and content-based projects aligned with the Massachusetts History and Social Science Framework. A passing grade represents mastery sufficient for the U.S. History CD.
Section 2: Additional Requirements
LMACS does not require any components beyond the satisfactory completion of the district-certified CD courses to earn the Competency Determination. All other program elements at LMACS—including the Individual Learning Plan (ILP), Skills for Success, internships, exhibitions, projects, and the final digital portfolio—are local graduation requirements, not Competency Determination requirements.
Section 3: Additional Considerations
Students with Disabilities: LMACS ensures equitable access to the Competency Determination (CD) by providing specialized instruction, accommodations, modifications, and alternative ways to demonstrate competency as outlined in each student’s IEP. Students participate fully in CD-designated courses with:
- Classroom accommodations (extended time, alternative formats, scaffolded assignments, assistive technology)
- Support from special education staff in Learning Labs, seminars, and advisory
- Flexible assessment formats such as oral responses, projects, modified assessments, or chunked tasks
When an IEP specifies accommodations or modifications, LMACS implements them in CD-designated coursework to ensure equal opportunity to earn a passing grade.
For students placed out of district, LMACS collaborates with the receiving program to ensure coursework aligns to MA Curriculum Frameworks, required supports are provided, and evidence of course completion is documented for CD determination.
Students may demonstrate competency through alternative methods consistent with their IEP, provided they meet the learning expectations of the CD-designated course.
LMACS ensures no student is denied the opportunity to earn the CD due to disability-related needs or placement.
English Learners: LMACS ensures equitable access to the Competency Determination (CD) by providing instructional supports, ELD services, and assessment accommodations aligned to each student’s English proficiency level. ELs participate fully in all CD-designated courses through sheltered content instruction, ELD aligned to WIDA and MA standards, and scaffolding such as visuals, vocabulary support, modeling, guided notes, and chunked tasks. Assessment accommodations—extended time, bilingual glossaries, alternative response formats, and opportunities for revision—allow students to demonstrate competency in accessible ways. ELD and content teachers collaborate regularly, and student progress is monitored to adjust supports as proficiency increases.
Use of ESL Courses Toward ELA CD Requirements: LMACS does not typically use ESL courses to meet the ELA CD requirement. For foundational ELs (ACCESS Levels 1–2), ESL coursework may count only when the course integrates grade-appropriate ELA standards, combines ELD standards with rigorous ELA content, and requires demonstrations of learning aligned to CD-designated ELA competencies. The student must earn a passing grade equivalent to that of a CD-designated ELA course. Eligibility is determined through review of ACCESS scores, proficiency level, staff collaboration, and confirmation that the ESL course includes documented ELA standards. For most students, the ELA CD requirement is met through the standard ELA course sequence.
Late-Enrolling Students: LMACS evaluates late-enrolling students for Competency Determination (CD) eligibility through an individualized transcript review to determine whether prior coursework aligns with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and LMACS’s CD-designated courses. Courses are accepted as equivalent when content aligns to high school standards, the course length matches a full-year or trimester LMACS course, and the student earned a passing grade demonstrating mastery.
If any CD requirements remain unmet, students are placed into the appropriate LMACS CD-designated courses with flexible scheduling, adjusted pacing, and targeted academic support. Late-enrolling students demonstrate mastery in the same way as all LMACS students—by earning a passing grade on major assessments, performance tasks, and course expectations aligned to the Curriculum Frameworks and CD competencies.
In limited cases where prior coursework cannot be documented, LMACS may use the MCAS score exception for students who achieve Meeting or Exceeding Expectations on the relevant high school MCAS assessment. This option is used sparingly and only when transcript gaps prevent determining course equivalency.
This process ensures compliance with state CD requirements by verifying course length and standards alignment, documenting mastery through grades, providing access to remaining CD coursework, and using MCAS only as a secondary pathway.
Section 4: Appeals Process
LMACS provides a clear and accessible process for students or parents/guardians to appeal a district determination regarding whether a student has met Competency Determination (CD) requirements. Appeals may be submitted at any time through a written request to the Assistant Director, including any information the family believes is relevant.
Within 10 school days, the Assistant Director and relevant instructional staff review the student’s transcript, grades in CD-designated courses, major assessments or performance tasks, and consult with the student’s Advisor and course teachers as needed. If additional information is required, the family is notified and given time to provide it.
After the review, LMACS issues a written determination explaining whether the CD requirements have been met, the evidence used, and any remaining steps the student must complete. Decisions are shared in writing—and verbally if requested—and all documentation is kept in the student’s academic file.
Because LMACS uses a competency-based, flexible scheduling model, students may continue progressing toward CD requirements at any time, and an appeal does not limit access to CD-designated coursework or credit-earning opportunities.
Section 5: Diploma Request Process for Previously Enrolled Students
LMACS follows all state requirements for reviewing diploma requests from former students who may now be eligible under the updated Competency Determination (CD) regulations. A former student may be reviewed if they were previously enrolled at LMACS, met all local graduation requirements in place at the time (e.g., were eligible for a Certificate of Attainment), and did not graduate solely because they did not meet the prior MCAS-based CD requirement. Students who did not meet local requirements at exit must complete current graduation and CD coursework before being awarded a diploma.
Eligible former students—or parents/guardians, when appropriate—may submit a written request to the Assistant Director or Executive Director. Within 20 school days, LMACS reviews the full academic record, including transcripts, credit history, course completion, assessments, and documentation of previous eligibility, and determines the student’s status under current CD rules.
If the student now meets all CD requirements, LMACS certifies completion, updates SIMS, and issues an official diploma. If requirements remain unmet, LMACS provides a written explanation of what is still needed. All determinations are documented in the student’s archived file.
Former students who still require coursework may re-engage with LMACS on a case-by-case basis, depending on space and program availability.
Graduation Requirements
To earn a diploma, all Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School (LMACS) students must complete the full sequence of graduation requirements aligned to our competency-based, trimester model. Each trimester-long course is 1 credit.
Students must:
- Complete 18 required courses, with transfer credit accepted when equivalent.
- Successfully complete all CD-designated courses and include representative work from each in their final portfolio.
- Complete 15 student-choice courses, with comparable transfer courses accepted.
Additionally, students are expected to:
- Earn a minimum of two Advisory credits, including successful completion of Skills for Success.
- Complete at least one individual or collaborative project (e.g., passion project, community service).
- Participate in at least two community exhibitions.
- Complete at least one internship or equivalent work experience.
- Develop a post-secondary plan.
- Submit a final portfolio demonstrating mastery and readiness for graduation.
- Pass MCAS exams or meet state Competency Determination (CD) requirements.
Additional Requirements
- Attend LMACS for at least one full school year, and
- Be at least 17 years old at the time of graduation.
Section 6: Certifications
________ Certify that the policy has been approved by the governing board of the district
________ Certify that the policy has been shared with all students, families/guardians, and district stakeholders
_________Certify that the policy has been made publicly available in multiple languages
_________Provide the URL where your policy is posted on your website