WORCESTER—Worcester’s proposed mastery-based grading policy remained a hot topic during the school committee’s first meeting of the new school year on Sept. 4, with the policy still in limbo while the district continues negotiations with the local teachers’ union.
The committee sent the policy to the district’s Teaching, Learning and Student Success (TLSS) Standing Committee for further review, while acknowledging that work remains to finalize a deal with the Educational Association of Worcester (EAW) regarding changes to grading and the impact on educators’ workloads. The committee had previously refused to fully adopt the policy last month, anticipating those negotiations; however, the Sept. 4 meeting brought few resolutions to an increasingly long process.
The new grading policy has been in development for years, emphasizing mastery of a subject and offering second chances through retakes of tests and assignments. Still, some have complained that the final proposal was released too close to the start of the school year and questioned the policy’s equity.
During the meeting, EAW representatives confirmed there is much to work out in adapting the established bargaining agreement to fit the new policy. EAW President Melissa Verdier thanked the committee for holding off on an official vote to allow that process to continue.
“I appreciate that was taken into consideration before a vote was had,” Verdier said. “We have met once, we have not met again, and I do believe we have a lot of work to do around this.”
Christine Mooshian, the EAW’s first vice president, was more critical of the grading approach, outlining some of the gaps still needing resolution between the district and the union.
“Right now, the proposal feels more like a way to meet state requirements than a plan that supports classrooms,” Mooshian said. “It doesn’t fit AP, special education, or Chapter 74 programs, it conflicts with existing teacher contract language since it adds significant workload in grading and feedback.”
With Massachusetts no longer using MCAS tests to determine student competencies, districts must construct their own plans before the end of the calendar year—a process currently underway in Worcester Public Schools. Superintendent Brian Allen called the new grading approach a vital piece of that puzzle.
“We certainly understand some concerns,” Allen said, “but we believe the grading policy is important to move forward and have equity across every classroom so that different schools and all the classrooms are measuring student mastery the same. I think it’s important to tie the two of them to the new graduation requirement which will be effective for this year’s graduating class of 2026.”
Allen added that the administration is continuously meeting with the union and has a draft agreement ready for consideration. He also confirmed that a comprehensive training plan is prepared, starting with principals and instructional coaches, to smoothly incorporate the policy into district schools. Training for union employees and an official motion on the policy will need to wait until a new agreement has been finalized with the EAW.
School Committee member Jermaine Johnson expressed frustration over the disconnect in the process and urged continued productive talks between the union and administration.
He initially motioned to send the policy to both the TLSS and Finance, Operations, and Governance (FOG) Standing Committees in two pieces. A counter proposal by member Maureen Binienda suggested sending the entire policy to TLSS, which would then forward it to FOG—this ultimately became the committee’s final decision.
Johnson also motioned that the district ensure a deal and policy are both finalized before Worcester submits its competency determination process to the state in December, while urging the district to explore ways to evaluate the policy once it is fully implemented.
Jason Bleau, a seasoned reporter from Connecticut’s Quiet Corner, has over 11 years of news media experience. He has worked as a news anchor for WINY 1350 AM, contributed to Stonebridge Press publications, and covered racing as a Press Box coordinator at Thompson Speedway. Outside journalism, he is a movie enthusiast, freelance film reviewer, banker, and solo musician. He can be reached at bleau.jason@yahoo.com
