Competency Determination (CD) Policy
Effective for the Class of 2026 and Beyond
As part of the graduation requirements for Massachusetts public schools, students must meet both the local graduation requirements and the state minimum standard known as the Competency Determination (CD). This standard has historically been measured by performance on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS). However, following the November 2024 passing of a statewide ballot measure removing MCAS as a graduation requirement, the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved new regulations to standardize how students demonstrate competency for graduation.
Beginning with the Class of 2026, in order to earn a Competency Determination at Innovation Academy Charter School, students must successfully earn a final semester grade of C- or better in the following coursework in classes that are aligned with the Massachusetts Curricular Frameworks:
- Equivalent of Two years (4 semesters) of high school English Language Arts courses.
- Two years (4 semesters) of integrated mathematics, including Algebra I and Geometry, through successful completion of either:
- Integrated Math I (MAT 100, 110, 120 A/B)
- Integrated Math II (MAT 200, 210, 220 A/B)
- Students who pass MAT 100 and 200 courses must also pass Foundations Math III (MAT 300 A/B) for a comprehensive understanding of Algebra I and Geometry, or an alternate course that meets these requirements, as assessed by the Principal.
- One full year (2 semesters) of science, through successful completion of one of the following courses:
- Biology (SCI 231 A/B) or Foundations/Conceptual Biology (SCI 221 A/B),
- Chemistry (SCI 331 A/B) or Green/Conceptual Chemistry (SCI 329 A/B).
In addition to the above, students in the Class of 2027 and beyond will also be required to complete
- One full year (2 semesters) of U.S. History, through successful completion of one of the following courses:
- American Studies (HST 121 A/B), or
- An alternate course that meets these requirements, as assessed by the Principal.
Support of Students with Disabilities:
The IEP Team—which includes the Director of Special Education, College Counselor, General Education Teacher, Special Education Teacher, parent/guardian, High School Principal, and Education Team Leader (ETL)—is responsible for reviewing each student’s progress toward meeting graduation requirements. Based on the student’s disability-related needs, the team ensures that classroom instruction and assessment procedures reflect the appropriate accommodations and modifications outlined in the IEP. When necessary, the IEP Team may make determinations to adjust IACS graduation requirements to support the student’s individual learning needs, provided those adjustments continue to meet or exceed the standards outlined in the Massachusetts Curricular Frameworks.
Transcript Review for Late Enrollees and Students in the Class of 2026:
Each summer, prior to the start of the Academic Year, the IACS College Counselling Team completes a transcript review for all students. Students who are late enrollees to IACS or members of the Class of 2026 and have not demonstrated proficiency on any of their MCAS exams are placed in appropriate core courses to ensure they can earn their CD.
Appeal Process:
The High School Principal will determine which Seniors have earned their CD. Those who the Principal determines have not met their CD have the right to appeal this decision to the Head of School and/or their designee. If the student has a disability, the Director of Special Education will also be included on the appeal.
If the student and family chooses to appeal the Principal’s decision, they will be granted an expedited hearing with the Appeal Team (as determined by the Head of School). The appeal must be requested in writing no later than June 30th of the corresponding school year. At this hearing, the Appeal Team will review both documentation provided by the Principal as well as any additional evidence or documentation provided by the student or family. Both the Appeal Team and the student and family will have the opportunity to ask questions.
If the Appeal Team overrides the Principal’s decision, it will make recommendations as to how the situation will be remedied to allow the student who has appealed a path to a timely graduation.
This Competency Determination policy ensures that students graduating from Innovation Academy are meeting rigorous academic standards that reflect both state expectations and the values of our school community. As always, Innovation Academy Charter School remains committed to providing a high-quality, competency-based education that prepares students for success beyond high school.
To view the full list of graduation requirements at Innovation Academy, including the complete departmental credit requirements, please refer to the Credit Summary Chart & Accumulation and the Summary of Graduation Requirements from the Program of Studies.
Although MCAS is no longer a requirement for graduation, both federal and state laws still mandate student participation. As a result, MCAS will continue to be administered each year to all 10th-grade students.