Gov. Maura Healey’s recent executive order to create the K-12 Statewide Graduation Council is drawing praise from educators and business leaders alike. This advisory board is tasked with recommending new high school graduation requirements, following the decision by voters last November to eliminate the 10th grade MCAS Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System exam mandate for graduation.
The move comes in response to concerns that without a standardized graduation requirement, school districts could set varying rules, potentially diminishing the value of a diploma.
The governor’s push for uniformity aims to maintain Massachusetts’ reputation for having some of the best schools in the nation, ensuring that students, families, schools, and employers understand the value of a diploma.
Healey’s initiative also seeks to explore new standards for high school graduation, including expanding vocational education, early college programs, and hands-on learning experiences such as capstone projects.
The advisory board, which will include education officials, teachers, students, parents, and business leaders, is set to gather public feedback through regional listening sessions.
The council’s first report is due by December 1, with final recommendations expected within six months.
Senate President Karen Spilka and other lawmakers, such as Sen. Jason Lewis, have expressed support for the initiative, emphasizing the need for a uniform standard and a collaborative process to shape a new statewide education framework.
This initiative is seen as a step forward in rethinking what high school education should look like, particularly after the scrapping of the MCAS graduation requirement.
It presents an opportunity to balance academic rigor with a broader range of assessments and experiences that better reflect the diverse needs and talents of students.
