Graduation Policies

TO:    High School Headmasters

FROM:    Thomas W. Payzant, Superintendent

I am writing to clarify several policies pertaining to graduation ceremonies.

On Wednesday night, the School Committee approved my recommendation not to award Local Certificates of Attainment to the approximately 166 seniors who would have been eligible under the State's guidelines (students who have met all graduation requirements except MCAS, have participated in tutoring or other extra supports, and have taken MCAS at least three times). This is a complex issue, one which the School Committee and I have deliberated for several months with comments from many of you. I appreciate the perspectives you have provided on the pros and cons of awarding certificates and am particularly grateful to those of you who testified before the School Committee.

In voting against Certificates of Attainment, several School Committee members cited the argument put forward by a majority of Headmasters that the certificates may be perceived as a retreat from high standards and may create a two-tiered system. The aim is not to "punish" students who have not yet fulfilled the MCAS requirements but rather to remind these students that their work is not yet complete and that they have remaining opportunities to pass MCAS and earn a high school diploma.

It is important to reiterate BPS policy about who is eligible to participate in graduation ceremonies. Only students who have completed all state and local requirements - including passing both English and Math sections of the MCAS exams - are permitted to graduate in cap and gown. To include students who have not fulfilled one or more requirements would send them and their families the misleading message that their high school education is complete.

There are only two exceptions to this policy:

• Students who have completed two years in a technical-vocational program at Madison Park who have earned a Certificate of Competence may participate in graduation ceremonies; and





• Special education students with significant disabilities who are 22 years old and exiting high school based on their age and attainment of IEP goals will receive a Certificate of Attendance and are also permitted to participate.

The School Committee and I remain committed to encouraging all students to participate in MCAS retests, even after June of their senior year if necessary. The Committee also approved a motion to send individual letters to the 455 members of the Class of 2003 who have met all local requirements but have not passed MCAS. The letter will congratulate students on achieving the milestone of completing their high school coursework. It also will inform students about retest opportunities and about supports available to help them meet the standard.

Additionally, the School Committee called for the creation of a citywide graduation ceremony to take place this fall for all students who fulfill graduation requirements after their classmates have done so, i.e., as a result of the May or July retests. This ceremony will provide students and their families an opportunity to celebrate this milestone once it is reached.

We realize that no policy can fully address the individual stories and cases each of you knows in your schools. We also believe, however, that there must be consistency throughout the system to ensure equity.

If you have any questions, feel free to call me. Thank you again for your engagement on this matter.