Executive Order  No. 639: Establishing a K-12 Statewide Graduation Council

WHEREAS, the Healey-Driscoll administration is committed to promoting a high-quality public education for every student in Massachusetts, regardless of their zip code, background, or circumstance;

WHEREAS, the Executive Office of Education and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education are focused on closing gaps in student access and success, and providing Massachusetts students, including historically marginalized students, such as students of color, students with disabilities, and English learners, with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in their future endeavors;

WHEREAS, a common set of statewide high school graduation requirements is necessary to promote equitable educational opportunities for all students in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, a consistent and uniform set high school graduation requirements is essential to the college, career, and civic readiness of Massachusetts high school graduates so they can reach their fullest potential in their postsecondary and workforce futures, as well as to meet employer needs and support the overall Massachusetts economy;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Maura T. Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution, Part 2, c. 2, § I, Art. I, do hereby order as follows:

Section 1:  Establishment of the Council

There is hereby established a K-12 Statewide Graduation Council to advise the Governor and the Legislature on the development of a statewide graduation requirement.

The Council shall be comprised of the Secretary of Education and the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, or their designees, who shall serve as co-chairs; as well as one member from a designation by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; one member from a designation by the President of the Senate; one member from a designation by the minority leader of the House of Representatives; one member from a designation by the minority leader of the Senate; and additional members appointed by the Governor including a representative of the Massachusetts Teachers Association; a representative of AFT-MA; a representative of the Boston Teachers Union; a representative of the Massachusetts School Counselors Association; a parent representative; a representative of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents; a representative of the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators; a representative of the Massachusetts School Administrators Association; a teacher representative; a public school student representative of the Governor’s Youth Advisory Council; a public school student representative from the state student advisory council; three additional geographically diverse public school students identified by the co-chairs; a representative of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees; a representative of the Massachusetts Charter Public School Association; a representative of the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges; a representative of the State Universities Council of Presidents; the Commissioner of Higher Education or designee; a representative of the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education; a representative of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation; a representative from a non-profit organization whose work involves access to postsecondary opportunities; a representative of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable; and five additional representatives appointed by the co-chairs on behalf of the Governor who shall represent a diversity of perspectives and backgrounds, including experience with the education of students with disabilities and English learners.  Appointed members shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor, in an advisory capacity and without compensation.

The Executive Office of Education and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall provide staffing to support the work of the Council.

The Council shall meet monthly, or more frequently as determined by the co-chairs.

Section 2: Charge and Objectives of the Council

The Council shall be charged with studying and making recommendations on a new statewide graduation requirement, including but not limited to the role of assessment, the potential for differentiated pathways to earning the competency determination, and the completion of additional experiences that demonstrate civic, college, and career readiness.

The objectives of the Council shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Engage in regional listening sessions to gather feedback from across the state directly from various stakeholders including students, families, educators, administrators, school support staff, higher education experts, the business community, and the general public;
• Conduct a literature review of research and best practices in other states and countries;
• Conduct an assessment of local graduation requirements across the state to determine the current levels of variation; and
• Consider key questions such as what Massachusetts students should know and be able to do before they graduate, including through potential course requirements and/or examinations, and how students should demonstrate their achievements in ways that accurately reflect their skills and knowledge.

Section 3: Working Committees and Advisory Groups

The co-chairs may convene, as needed, working committees consisting of members of the Council.  All working committees shall be chaired by a member or members of the Council designated by the co-chairs. Working committees shall meet from time to time, as scheduled by the co-chairs or the working committee leader. 

The co-chairs may convene, as needed, advisory groups consisting of individuals with relevant experience or expertise to provide advice with respect to the development of the Council’s final report. Such advisory groups shall perform a purely advisory function, and participants shall serve without compensation at the pleasure of the co-chairs. All advisory groups shall be led by a member of the Council, as designated by the co-chairs. Advisory groups shall meet from time to time, as scheduled by the co-chairs or the advisory group leader.

Section 4: Report

The Council shall deliver an interim report of initial findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature no later than December 1st, 2025 and, within 18 months of this Order, provide a final written report to the Governor and Legislature detailing its findings and recommendations related to the topics listed above in Section 2, as well as necessary considerations regarding any potential implementation of the recommendations, such as any necessary changes to statutes and/or regulations, meeting necessary timelines for implementation, promoting equitable access and opportunities for all students, and providing schools and districts in with the necessary financial and technical supports for successful implementation.

Section 5: Compatibility with Existing Laws

Nothing in this Executive Order shall be construed to require action inconsistent with any applicable state or federal law.

Section 6: Effective Date

This Executive Order shall take effect immediately and shall continue in effect until 60 days after the Council has delivered to the Governor and Legislature its final written report.