Vision of a Graduate
The Vision of a Graduate is the first step in creating a new statewide graduation standard to ensure all students leave high school with the skills necessary to succeed in college, careers, and civic life. Spearheaded by Governor Maura Healey’s Statewide K-12 Graduation Council and informed by thousands of survey responses, eight statewide listening sessions, and stakeholder engagement, the Vision of a Massachusetts Graduate identifies six key skills and competencies, centered around three core qualities: Thinkers, Contributors and Leaders, that will guide the preparation of high school students for the real world.
Massachusetts graduates will be:
Thinkers
- Academically Prepared: Graduates have a strong foundation across academic disciplines, equipping them with both the knowledge to thrive in college, career, and civic life and the skills to be lifelong learners.
- Critical Problem-Solvers: Graduates critically examine information to draw connections, question assumptions, infer meaning, and shape solutions.
Contributors
- Self-Aware Navigators: Graduates understand themselves, their strengths, and their opportunities and can effectively leverage their unique skills to navigate a variety of paths and environments.
- Intentional Collaborators: Graduates engage respectfully and productively with diverse individuals and groups, recognizing the value of their unique perspectives, identities and experiences as well as those of others.
Leaders
- Effective Communicators: Graduates confidently and clearly express their ideas to diverse audiences across a variety of mediums.
- Responsible Decision-Makers: Graduates can set and pursue personal goals, make healthy and financially sustainable choices, and demonstrate confidence and competence in shaping their lives.