Governor Mara Healy announced the release of an initial statewide graduation framework at Dedham High School, telling students and educators the plan is meant to “reimagine high school in Massachusetts” and better prepare graduates for college, careers, the military or other postsecondary paths. The framework, which Healy described as a first step, emphasizes course-based assessments, a capstone or portfolio project, and career-and-academic planning for every student.

The governor said the framework is intended to move the state “away from high stakes to high expectations,” and to preserve Massachusetts’ high standards while creating more ways for students to demonstrate mastery. Healy noted last year’s voter decision to eliminate the MCAS graduation requirement as the opportunity to reconsider how diplomas should reflect readiness; she said the new model will allow the state to phase out MCAS in 10th grade and replace some high-stakes testing with assessments that align to students’ coursework.

Pedro Martinez, commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, said the proposals aim to keep “all doors open” by aligning coursework with college-admission expectations and adding end-of-course assessments and capstone projects that give students different ways to demonstrate skills. Martinez also highlighted requirements tied to student planning and postsecondary access: every student would complete a career-and-academic plan and be supported to complete federal and state financial aid applications (FAFSA or MAFA).

Pat Tutwiler, secretary of education, said the framework builds on existing work in Massachusetts schools and stressed that the plan is not meant to be a set of mandates. “This is not about reinventing the wheel and it's not about mandates,” Tutwiler said, urging continued educator input as the council refines the standards. Tutwiler and other officials highlighted expansions the framework seeks to support, including more career-connected learning seats, career-technical education, innovation career pathways and early-college opportunities.

Educators, labor leaders and a student on the Statewide Graduation Council welcomed the emphasis on multiple ways to show mastery and on equity. Jessica Tang, president of AFT Massachusetts, said educators were included in the initial discussions and called for continued outreach and resources during the next phase of work. A student council member, Annabelle Griffin, said the recommendations were designed so students “have a clear, equitable, and meaningful path to earning a diploma.”

Officials said the release is an initial framework that will be refined through further stakeholder engagement, listening sessions and council deliberations. The administration and the graduation council said they will solicit educator feedback as they draft final standards and implementation timelines. No regulatory adoption or statutory change was announced at the event; officials described this release as the start of a process to build and finalize a new graduation model.