Littleton School Committee Unanimously Adopts Local Graduation Standard After MCAS Requirement Ends

LITTLETON — February 6, 2025 — Littleton School Committee adopts local graduation competency standard after voters ended MCAS requirement. The committee voted 5-0 on February 6 to accept a new locally defined competency determination requiring high school students to pass English 10, Algebra 1 and Geometry, and at least one science course in biology, chemistry, physics, or technology and engineering — replacing MCAS as the graduation certification mechanism following the November ballot question. Director of Teaching and Learning Elizabeth Steele said the language "remains rigorous but also accessible to all students." The committee also voted 5-0 to accept a town financial policies document governing Chapter 70 aid, with Business Manager Steve Mark noting that typical annual Chapter 70 surpluses above budget have run about $15,000. Chair Justin McCarthy reported that a Shaker Lane school replacement tax-impact calculator — showing a revised first-year cost of $1,000 to $1,100 for a home assessed at $607,000 — was posted to town websites the day of the meeting, with the full MSBA board set to vote February 26 on advancing the project to design.