THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, FEbRuARy 7, 2025 Page 7 City Councillors Celebrate Relocation of Veterans Affairs Offi ce Lawn and Yard Care SNOW PLOWING *REASONABLE RATES * PROMPT SERVICE * PARKING LOTS USA 781-521-9927 Several City Councillors recently joined the Everett Veterans Aff airs staff to celebrate the relocation of the offi ce to the 1st fl oor of The Edward G. Connolly Center, ensuring accessibility for all. Shown from left to right, are; City Councillor At-Large John F. Hanlon, City Council President Stephanie Martins, Veterans Agent Gerri Miranda, Director of Veterans Aff airs Antoine Coleman, Ward 1 Councilor Wayne Matewsky, and Ward Three Councillor Anthony DiPierro.(Courtesy photo) MCAS | FROM PAGE 1 ometry, Sophomore English and Biology or Physics or equivalent courses as determined by the school principal. Grades and test results from a new student’s former district are applicable. Graduation requirements consist of four years of English, Math and Physical Education; three years of Science, two years of Social Studies and a year of Health. There are procedures in place for Students with the Most Signifi cant Cognitive Disabilities or Complex and Signifi cant Disabilities, a heading used in Adams’ presentation. “When the nature of and complexity of a student’s disabilities present signifi cant barriers or challenges to standardized computer or paper-based testing, even with the use of accommodations, and the student is working at or close to grade level expectations, the student’s Individual Education Plan team may determine the student should participate in the grade level portfolio in one or more subjects,” it reads. “It allows them to submit a portfolio in order to meet competency standards,” Adams elaborated. “It’s a very small group, but it’s important to provide them with a pathway to competency standards.” An element of eliminating MCAS as a graduation requirement is allowing former students who did not pass MCAS in previous years to receive a High School diploma if it is determined they passed the coursework. “We would do a review if they met the criteria,” Adams explained. “If they were able to meet the criteria, they can get a High School diploma. They would be eligible if they met the graduation requirements to meet competency standards for a diploma.” How many people will do that is hard, if not impossible, to determine, but Ward 4 School Committee member Robin Babcock said she is glad “a lot of people will have an opportunity to get a diploma after MCAS was a roadblock to their graduation.” “It’s great we’ll offer diplomas to past students,” member At-Large Kristen Bairos added. Elimination of MCAS as a graduation requirement leaves the state without a statewide competency standard, but the concept is a dubious one in a state with Lexington, Lynnfield, Marblehead, Newton, North Reading and Winchester, among other communities, at one end of the socio-economic scale and Brockton, Fall River, Lynn, New Bedford and Springfi eld at the other. An illustration of the problem is Everett being in an MCAS District Area Review Tool (DART) cohort with Brockton, Chelsea, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Malden and Revere, but also being in an Area Median Income cohort that includes similar communities like Malden and Medford, but dissimilar ones like Lexington, Newton, North Reading and Winchester, which skews the defi nition of aff ordable housing and, indirectly, the higher MCAS test scores found in more affl uent communities, above the resources of Everett residents. Governor Maura Healey is pursuing establishing a new and, hopefully, fairer standard. She has signed an Executive Order to establish a Massachusetts K-12 Statewide Graduation Council to be led by the Secretary of Education and Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education. It will include a broad range of stakeholders, including students, parents/caregivers, educators, school counselors, labor, education advocacy organizations, higher education representatives, legislators and the business community and be tasked with making recommendations on how Massachusetts can ensure that all students graduate with the skills necessary to succeed in college, careers and civic life, regardless of their background or location, and demonstrate these qualities through a consistent statewide set of expectations. “We expect there will be changes over time about competency,” Adams said. “We might need to make changes.” 425r Broadway, Saugus Located adjacent to Kohls Plaza Route 1 South in Saugus at the intersection of Walnut Street We are on MBTA Bus Route 429 781-231-1111 We are a Skating Rink with Bowling Alleys, Arcade and two TV’s where the ball games are always on! PUBLIC SKATING SCHEDULE 12-7 p.m. Sunday Monday Tuesday $10.00 Price includes Roller Skates Rollerblades/inline skates $3.00 additional cost Private Parties 7:30-11 p.m. Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday $11.00 Price includes Roller Skates 18+ Adults Only After 7 PM - ID Required Private Parties Private Parties 4-8 p.m. $10.00 8:30-11 p.m. $11. 18+ Adults Only After 7 PM - ID Required 12-9 p.m. $10.00 Everyone must pay admission after 6 p.m. Sorry No Checks - ATM on site Roller skate rentals included in all prices Inline Skate Rentals $3.00 additional BIRTHDAY & PRIVATE PARTIES AVAILABLE www.roller-world.com Call Driveways from $35
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