Since the vote to remove the MCAS graduation requirement, I’ve noticed noise from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education, about needing a new graduation requirement for students to graduate. What we don’t hear is that there already is a standard that all Massachusetts public school students must meet to receive a diploma.

No one at the state level seems to mention the fact that all lesson plans, created by all teachers, must follow the DESE’s Curriculum Frameworks, and must list which frameworks for their course are included in each lesson, so that by the end of that course, all the pertinent frameworks are taught. This actually means that when a lesson is taught, the framework is taught; when the coursework is completed by the students, the framework is practiced; and when the student has successfully passed each lesson, that framework has been met.

It is really that simple. If the student is able to pass the course, then the student has met state’s standards for education.

I taught in public education for 20 years. Every lesson plan I created and submitted to my administration was required to include a numbered list of the State Curriculum Frameworks, as well as making sure that by end of year, all frameworks pertaining to my course were covered. So, if the DESE believes the state needs a new graduation requirement, I can reassure them that it already exists.

Make sure all administrators are checking lesson plans for the inclusion of the frameworks and that students are given appropriate multiple opportunities to pass the work for those lessons. Then, the whole state will have a very successful, trustworthy education system and graduation standards. Despite the DESE and Mass Business Alliance for Education sounding like they want more hurdles to impede our students, there’s no need for further hurdles.

Margaret Livingstone

Northfield