HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2104        FILED ON: 1/15/2015

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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Antonio F. D. Cabral

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to establish a new high school diploma.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2104        FILED ON: 1/15/2015

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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Eighty-Ninth General Court
(2015-2016)

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An Act to establish a new high school diploma.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Part (i ) of section 1D of chapter 69 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 official edition, is hereby amended by adding after the second sentence the following sentence:-

Students who have demonstrated competency under this section by passing the state’ s assessment tests, i.e., the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) and any successors thereto, shall be granted a Commonwealth Diploma issued by the state Department of Education.  Students who have demonstrated competency under this section by meeting the academic standards and curriculum frameworks enumerated in this section by satisfying the requirements of their local school committee shall be granted a Horace Mann Diploma issued by the local school committee.  Students may receive either one or both diplomas.  Issuance of either the Commonwealth or the Horace Mann Diploma to a student will certify that a student has met the competency determination described in this section and will entitle a student to all the rights and privileges of high school graduation.