Hanover Schools Introduce New Graduation Requirements as MCAS Test Requirement Eliminated
HANOVER - October 8 - The Hanover School Committee will vote on a new competency determination policy at its next meeting that replaces the MCAS testing requirement for graduation, requiring students instead to pass six core academic courses by the end of tenth grade. The policy shift, mandated by the state after Massachusetts voters eliminated the MCAS graduation requirement, focuses on successful course completion in English, mathematics, and science rather than standardized test scores.
The Full Story
Curriculum Director Matthew Plummer presented the first reading of the competency determination policy, explaining that the new local requirement maintains the same academic standards previously tested by MCAS but evaluates students through classroom performance rather than a single standardized exam.
Under the proposed policy, students must successfully complete English 9 and 10, Algebra and Geometry, and a science course such as Biology, Chemistry, or Physics to meet graduation competency requirements. Beginning with the Class of 2027, U.S. History will be added as a fourth requirement, bringing the total to seven courses.
“MCAS was based on courses—English nine and ten, algebra one and geometry, and the science class—and so our policy should be you have to master those skills in those courses,” Plummer explained. “That’s basically where we’re at. It’s very straightforward.”
The policy represents a common approach among Massachusetts school districts responding to the new state mandate. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education required all districts to establish formal competency determination policies this year after voters removed the MCAS graduation requirement.
Assistant Superintendent Deborah St. Ives emphasized that the district worked to create a policy that balances rigor with flexibility for supporting all learners. “We’re trying to approach this in the most logical, supportive way possible while also maintaining high expectations in what we think students need to be able to do when they leave us to be successful,” she said.
The proposed policy includes accommodations for students with disabilities, English language learners, and late-enrolling transfer students. For students who do not pass the required courses, the district will implement Educational Proficiency Plans to provide additional support and recovery options, similar to the support system previously used for students who initially failed MCAS.
Students who complete all other graduation requirements but do not meet the competency determination will receive a certificate of attainment rather than a diploma. However, the policy includes an appeals process and allows former students who passed the required courses but didn’t graduate due to MCAS failure to request their diplomas retroactively, dating back to the Class of 2003.
Committee member Libby Corbo praised the straightforward approach. “Getting rid of MCAS didn’t absolve us of any educational standards in Massachusetts. DESE still has curriculum frameworks that we follow,” she said. “You don’t have to reinvent the wheel.”
Committee member Ryan Hall noted the importance of ensuring families have adequate notice if students are not meeting requirements. The policy was adjusted to specify that students with disabilities will have their progress reviewed at every annual IEP meeting, with particular attention during junior year to ensure students have time to complete any outstanding requirements before senior year scheduling.
The committee will vote on the competency determination policy at its next meeting.
In a separate policy matter, the committee reviewed a new CTE Middle School Pathway policy, also mandated by DESE this year. Superintendent Matthew Ferron explained that the policy formalizes the district’s existing partnership with South Shore Technical High School, requiring the middle school to provide information about vocational-technical programs to students by October 15th each year.
“This policy basically just talks about offering CTE program information to middle school students,” Ferron said. “We really don’t need to do anything differently other than memorialize it in a policy.”
The committee also received an update on dramatically improved class sizes across the district, a direct result of last year’s override passage. Superintendent Ferron reported that high school average class sizes dropped from 22 students last year to 18 this year, with the number of course sections increasing from 242 to 276.
“Our teachers definitely feel it, and we’re very grateful for that support,” Ferron said. “Last year we had [maximum class sizes of] 35, [this year] large is 27. That’s much, much more reasonable.”
Elementary class sizes have normalized to around 20 students, and middle school classes are in the low to mid-20s. Committee member Ryan Hall noted that the additional sections provide not just smaller classes but also more student choice and flexibility for schedule changes.
The evening began on an emotional note as fourth-grader Colton Quinn from Cedar School led the Pledge of Allegiance alongside his two best friends, Lena Condon and Annabelle McCabe. Colton recently returned to school after recovering from a serious medical event involving his brain, described by staff as “a real-life brain miracle.”
The committee also recognized four high school seniors for academic excellence. Alana Cole, ranked first in her class with a 4.81 GPA, received the Rensselaer Medal Award worth $160,000 over four years. Andrew Ellis, with a 4.76 GPA, earned the WPI Innovation Award worth $100,000. Ava Corey and Dylan Poirier were recognized for academic growth and student leadership.
In action items, the committee unanimously approved the establishment of an Empowerment Club at the high school, led by students Lexi Schiller and Dylan Poirier. The club, which previously existed at the school, aims to create a supportive environment where women uplift each other and work with younger students in the community.
The committee also approved the annual eighth-grade Washington, D.C. trip, which will take approximately 180 students to visit the U.S. Capitol, Supreme Court, Smithsonian Museums, Arlington National Cemetery, and national monuments. The trip cost increased by about $100 to cover an additional meal and upgraded events.
Principal Daniel Birolini assured committee members that no student who wants to attend has ever been turned away due to financial constraints. “We’ve been successful in not having people who want to go, [not] go,” he said. “Every child that has ever wanted to go as far as I’ve been here has been able to go.”
Director of Finance Michael Oates requested approval for $4,792.17 in donations for the 2025-2026 school year, including contributions from the Hanover Foundation for Educational Enrichment for math resources and donations from the Bach Family Foundation supporting music programs at all four schools, awarded during the August zip trip event.
The meeting concluded with a presentation from Cedar School Principal Ellen Burns and Assistant Principal Tom Tracy showcasing a new teacher dashboard designed to centralize resources, curriculum materials, schedules, forms, and professional development information in one accessible online location. The dashboard was developed based on direct teacher feedback requesting a more organized system to replace scattered information across multiple platforms.
“The response from teachers has been overwhelmingly positive,” Burns reported. “They continue to say this is fantastic, I’m finding what I need, it’s reliable, and it’s efficient.”
Committee member Libby Corbo suggested adapting the dashboard concept for parent use, noting that while the district website contains helpful information, it can sometimes be difficult to navigate. The Cedar team indicated they would consider the suggestion.
Why It Matters
The new competency determination policy represents a fundamental shift in how Hanover students will demonstrate their readiness to graduate. Rather than relying on a single standardized test, students will be evaluated on their consistent performance across core academic courses throughout their first two years of high school. The change affects current and future students, while also providing an opportunity for former students who met all requirements except passing MCAS to finally receive their diplomas. The improved class sizes resulting from last year’s override passage provide the educational environment necessary to ensure all students can meet these course-based requirements with appropriate support.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Approve May 5th open session minutes. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0-1 (Corbo abstained). (Timestamp: 0:12:09)
Motion: Approve September 10th open session minutes. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0-1 (Jorgensen abstained). (Timestamp: 0:12:26)
Motion: Approve September 24th open session minutes. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:12:41)
Motion: Approve Empowerment Club request. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:15:57)
Motion: Approve Washington trip. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:20:04)
Motion: Approve FY26 donations totaling $4,792.17. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:21:32)
Motion: Adjourn meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:15:33)
Public Comment
No public comment was offered during either public comment period.
What’s Next
The committee will vote on the competency determination policy and the CTE Middle School Pathway policy at the next meeting. The academic working group will continue developing a timeline for Goal #1 regarding new schedules. The policy subcommittee will review gym waiver implementation and social probation language. The district will present its capital budget refurbishment package (approximately $600,000 for roof repairs, HVAC repairs, carpet replacement, wheelchair lift, and gym floor refurbishment) to the Select Board and Advisory Committee later in the school year. The NESDEC enrollment projection report will be available in approximately two weeks.