Falmouth School Committee


On Tuesday, July 9, 2002 the Falmouth School Committee voted 6 to 2 to endorse the following position relative to the impact of the "high stakes" MCAS on the issuing of diplomas to the graduating classes of 2003 and beyond:

"The Falmouth School Committee believes that a Falmouth High School diploma should be granted to all those who meet local accountability expectations for graduation. The diploma should be differentiated to recognize achievement beyond the local expectations (such as the National Honor Society, the National Art Honor Society, and the Tri-M National Music Honor Society) and the achievement of state competency requirements."

This position asserts the right of the Committee to grant diplomas to students who do not pass MCAS as well as those who do.

The Committee recognizes that its position is in violation of the views of the Department of Education that local school committees do not have the right to give a diploma signifying graduation unless students have met the state competency determination by passing the English language arts and math portions of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System.