Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Releases Vision of a Massachusetts High School Graduate

Attleboro — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today released its Vision of a Massachusetts Graduate, an aspirational outline for how a Massachusetts high school diploma can prepare students—regardless of zip code, identity, or background—for success after graduation. 

The vision revealed this morning at Attleboro High School 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 has always led the way in education, and this Vision of a Graduate builds on that legacy,” said Governor Healey. “We all need to work together to make sure our young people are prepared not only with strong academic skills but also with the problem-solving, collaboration and leadership abilities they’ll need to succeed in every aspect of life.” 

“This vision reflects what our educators, students, families and community leaders have told us they want for our young people,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This is about developing self-aware, confident graduates who can work with others, make thoughtful decisions, and contribute meaningfully to their schools, workplaces and communities.” 

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. 

“The Vision of a Graduate gives us a thoughtful, unifying blueprint for what it means to graduate high school in Massachusetts,” said Education Secretary and Statewide K-12 Graduation Council Co-Chair Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “It emphasizes that every student has the capacity to be a thinker, contributor, and leader and that our job as educators and communities is to nurture those qualities every step of the way.” 

“Through the important work of this council and the contributions of school districts and other stakeholders, we have defined key competencies high school graduates need,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner and Statewide K-12 Graduation Council Co-Chair Pedro Martinez. “There is a shared understanding that students should graduate with the skills needed to make decisions responsibly, contribute meaningfully to civic life and be prepared for postsecondary education.”   

“A student’s K-12 experience has a tremendous impact on the path they choose after high school, along with how they are set up to succeed in their post-secondary education and careers,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega. “I’m grateful that the Statewide Graduation Council is moving forward with a vision that focuses on the whole student and how they engage with information, their communities, and challenges that present themselves.” 

Governor Healey created the Statewide K-12 Graduation Council in January through Executive Order. The Council has met multiple times throughout the spring and summer to study and review current graduation standards across the country, assess existing graduation requirements in local school districts, and gather feedback from a diverse group of stakeholders, including students, families, educators, administrators, higher education experts and business leaders. The Council conducted eight in-person and virtual listening sessions across Massachusetts, including one dedicated entirely to students. More than 400 educators, advocates, parents, students, business leaders, labor organizers and stakeholders participated in these listening sessions. The Grad Council also conducted a statewide survey that garnered feedback from 6,615 respondents. Additionally, 103 Massachusetts educators participated in a separate district leader survey.  

The Graduation Council will unveil its initial findings for a statewide graduation standard later this fall, with a final report and proposed roadmap coming next year. The recommendations will include rigorous learning experiences and a mechanism to give the state confidence that all students are meeting these high expectations. The council will continue to meet to finalize those recommendations and to continue building consensus with many stakeholders.  

The Graduation Council chose to unveil its Vision of a Graduate at Attleboro High School because the school’s efforts around career-connected courses, Early College, and its own “Portrait of a Graduate” framework aligns closely with the council’s goals and objectives.   

“The City of Attleboro is committed to providing an exceptional education to every student in the community, and we are immensely proud of all of our students and educators,” said Attleboro Mayor Cathleen DeSimone. “As a Gateway City, our big, beautiful comprehensive high school stands as direct proof of that pride and commitment, and our belief that a quality education is the key to success in college, careers, and civic life. We are grateful to Governor Healey and Lt. Governor Driscoll for leading the effort to create the Vision of a High School Graduate and for ensuring that high school students in Attleboro and the Commonwealth leave high school with the skills they need to succeed in life.” 

“Here in Attleboro, we are using our Portrait of a Graduate not only to better answer the fundamental questions about why we do what we do, but more importantly, to create a bright throughline for all our educational experiences from preschool through graduation,” said Attleboro Public Schools Superintendent David Sawyer. “Attleboro High School is already a leader in comprehensive education, and we embrace the effort to support the postsecondary success of all students.” 

“Ensuring that every student who graduates from a Massachusetts school meets clear, consistent, and rigorous standards is not only critical to student success beyond the classroom-- it's also about fairness and opportunity,” House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “The House is grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and to the Graduation Council for their ongoing work towards establishing a statewide standard that reinforces the high expectations that all students across the Commonwealth deserve.” 

Learn more about the Graduation Council and work at Mass.gov/K12GradCouncil. 

STATEMENTS OF SUPPORT  

Representative Alice Peisch (D-Wellesley), House Assistant Majority Leader:   

“A uniform graduation standard across districts is a crucial step toward ensuring equitable learning opportunities for all students. It is the Commonwealth’s responsibility to make sure our graduates are prepared for their next chapter. I’m grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Graduation Council for their efforts and look forward to the work ahead.” 

Senator Jason Lewis (D-Winchester), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education: 

“The Vision of a Graduate is a great first step in the process of establishing a new, non-test-based, consistent, and rigorous statewide graduation standard. I look forward to reviewing the findings and recommendations of the Graduation Council and continuing to work collaboratively with my colleagues in the Legislature, the Healey administration, and other stakeholders to develop and implement a new graduation standard for students in Massachusetts.” 

Representative Ken Gordon (D-Bedford), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education: 

“The Vision of a Massachusetts Graduate will help ensure that all students receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for success no matter which school district they attend.” 

State Senator Paul Feeney (D - Foxborough):

“The Vision of a Graduate offers a fresh new perspective on what it really means to receive your diploma in Massachusetts. The outline proposed today by the Healey-Driscoll Administration emphasizes those real-world skills and core competencies that will prepare students for whatever career path they choose, whether it is college, the workforce, military or a trade. By nurturing the whole student, our educators will continue to foster thoughtful, communicative, and conscientious leaders who will build our society for generations to come. I am proud that Governor Healey, Lt. Governor Driscoll, Secretary Tutwiler, and our entire legislature has been thinking creatively and acting boldly when it comes to the way we educate students. lt is no surprise that this new initiative should be announced in the City of Attleboro which has proven to be up to the task in its investment in a new high school, forward thinking academics, character building, and support for educators.”

Representative Jim Hawkins (D-Attleboro): 

"As a former teacher at Attleboro High School I am proud of their work to adapt as the needs of our students continues to change. We are grateful for Governor Healey's Statewide K-12 Graduation Council and the guidance that will come from this work." 

Representative Adam Scanlon (D-North Attleboro): 

“A high school diploma should reflect high standards and clearly communicate what graduates know and are able to do. The Governor’s administration has led a process—incorporating public input and expert feedback—to define those values. These resulting guiding principles outlined in this vision are designed to ensure, in perpetuity, that graduates are academically prepared to compete in today’s job market, equipped with essential skills in areas such as financial literacy and vocational education, and socially prepared to collaborate across differences and participate in civic life.” 

Michael Bobbit, Executive Director, Mass Cultural Council:  

“Creative decision-making is an essential skill every K–12 graduate needs to succeed. That’s why Mass Cultural Council invests in strengthening the Commonwealth’s cultural sector. We are proud to support the individuals, programs, and organizations that nurture young people, foster their healthy development, and prepare them to thrive in school, work, and life. We applaud the Statewide Graduation Council for recognizing creativity as a cornerstone of academic achievement - and we couldn’t agree more.” 

Victor Caraballo Anderson, Lawrence High School Head of School: 

"The development of a vision of a Massachusetts graduate embodies a true collaborative process that represents and celebrates the diversity of our commonwealth as we envision a comprehensive educational experience that will empower our youth for years to come.” 

Annabelle Griffith, Norton High School student member: 

“As a student, I believe the Vision of a Massachusetts Graduate captures what truly matters for our future. It’s not just about grades, but about becoming creative problem-solvers, thoughtful citizens, responsible leaders, and resilient people ready to face challenges beyond school. This vision gives me hope that every student in Massachusetts will be supported in reaching their full potential.” 

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