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Competency-Based Approaches to Graduation: What MA Can Learn from Its New England Neighbors

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Title: Competency-Based Approaches to Graduation: What MA Can Learn from Its New England Neighbors
Language: English
Authors: Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy
Source: Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy. 2025.
Availability: Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy. 114 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. Tel: 617-354-0002; e-mail: info@renniecenter.org; Web site: http://www.renniecenter.org
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 6
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: High Schools
Secondary Education
Descriptors: High Schools, Graduation Requirements, Exit Examinations, Competency Based Education, College Readiness, State Policy, Educational Policy, Core Competencies, Required Courses, Academic Standards, State Standards
Geographic Terms: Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire
Abstract: Following a ballot initiative that ended the use of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment of Skills (MCAS) as a graduation requirement, Massachusetts policymakers have begun rethinking what it means to earn a diploma within the state. Conversations are underway to gather feedback and learn from existing models about what changes to graduation standards to implement. One important point of reflection is to consider what Massachusetts can learn from its neighbors about measuring students' readiness for graduation, as several New England states are recognized leaders in competency-based education (CBE). This brief offers a snapshot of New Hampshire's Competency-Based Credit Accumulation, Rhode Island's Readiness-Based Graduation Requirements, and Vermont's Flexible Pathways Initiative to provide useful food for thought for policymakers. Engaging in these conversations without considering the potential value of competency-based approaches would represent a missed opportunity to move toward a system that promotes the success of all learners.
Abstractor: ERIC
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: ED679201
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Competency-Based Approaches to Graduation: What MA Can Learn from Its New England Neighbors
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  Data: Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy. 114 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. Tel: 617-354-0002; e-mail: info@renniecenter.org; Web site: http://www.renniecenter.org
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  Label: Education Level
  Group: Audnce
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22High+Schools%22">High Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Secondary+Education%22">Secondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22High+Schools%22">High Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Graduation+Requirements%22">Graduation Requirements</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Exit+Examinations%22">Exit Examinations</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Competency+Based+Education%22">Competency Based Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Readiness%22">College Readiness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22State+Policy%22">State Policy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Policy%22">Educational Policy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Core+Competencies%22">Core Competencies</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Required+Courses%22">Required Courses</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+Standards%22">Academic Standards</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22State+Standards%22">State Standards</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Massachusetts%22">Massachusetts</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Rhode+Island%22">Rhode Island</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Vermont%22">Vermont</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22New+Hampshire%22">New Hampshire</searchLink>
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  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Following a ballot initiative that ended the use of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment of Skills (MCAS) as a graduation requirement, Massachusetts policymakers have begun rethinking what it means to earn a diploma within the state. Conversations are underway to gather feedback and learn from existing models about what changes to graduation standards to implement. One important point of reflection is to consider what Massachusetts can learn from its neighbors about measuring students' readiness for graduation, as several New England states are recognized leaders in competency-based education (CBE). This brief offers a snapshot of New Hampshire's Competency-Based Credit Accumulation, Rhode Island's Readiness-Based Graduation Requirements, and Vermont's Flexible Pathways Initiative to provide useful food for thought for policymakers. Engaging in these conversations without considering the potential value of competency-based approaches would represent a missed opportunity to move toward a system that promotes the success of all learners.
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  Data: 2026
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 6
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: High Schools
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Graduation Requirements
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Exit Examinations
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Competency Based Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Readiness
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: State Policy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Policy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Core Competencies
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Required Courses
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Academic Standards
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: State Standards
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Massachusetts
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Rhode Island
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Vermont
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: New Hampshire
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Competency-Based Approaches to Graduation: What MA Can Learn from Its New England Neighbors
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              Y: 2025
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