Massachusetts K-12 Statewide Graduation Council
Governor Healey established a Massachusetts K-12 Statewide Graduation Council, led by Secretary Tutwiler and Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Martinez. The Council includes a broad range of stakeholders, including students, parents/caregivers, educators, school counselors, labor, education advocacy organizations, higher education representatives, legislators, and the business community.
The Council is tasked with making recommendations on how Massachusetts can ensure that all students graduate with the skills necessary to succeed in college, careers, and civic life, regardless of their background or location, and demonstrate these qualities through a consistent statewide set of expectations.
Innovation Career Pathways
Innovation Career Pathways enable students to explore careers and participate in applied technical and advanced courses. The program gives students the opportunity to participate in work-based learning in high demand industries, while also bolstering workforce pipelines to meet the needs of employers, in areas such as advanced manufacturing, information technology, environmental and life sciences, and health care. This all comes at no cost to the students.
This school year, Innovation Career Pathways are offered in nearly 30 percent of eligible high schools across Massachusetts, engaging more than 8,500 students in 262 pathways across 117 schools.
In 2023, the administration launched a new Clean Energy Pathway, now offered in 10 schools. Since taking office, the administration has expanded Innovation Career Pathways to 82 additional high schools, adding 132 new programs across the state.
Early College
Designated early college programs allow high school students, especially those underrepresented in higher education, to earn college credits at no cost to them or their families while still in high school. This school year, 69 high schools and 32 higher education institutions across 73 partnerships support approximately 10,000 students in early college.
The administration has increased the number of participants by 3,700 since spring 2022-23, a 59 percent increase, with the goal of providing Early College access to as many as 20,000 Massachusetts students by the end of the decade.
Career Technical Education
Career Technical Education (CTE) programs equip students with the skills they need to succeed in today’s job market. These programs use innovative, applied learning opportunities aligned with industry needs and provide students with high quality learning experiences that allow them to chart their career path. Signature components of CTE programs include at least 900 hours of immersive learning time, co-operative education in partnership with local employers, and opportunities to earn high-value, industry recognized credentials. CTE programs are offered during the regular school day at approved comprehensive high schools and dedicated career technical schools. Career technical schools and comprehensive high schools also offer CTE Partnership Programs “After Dark” that take place after the school day to provide additional public-school students with access to career technical education.
Expanding Access
Over the past two and a half years, the administration has approved 49 new CTE programs, supporting 2,334 additional students. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education in May 2025 approved the administration's changes to both the processes by which middle school students become aware of CTE and the admissions processes at CTE programs in order to provide all students with more opportunities for admission into those schools and programs.
The Administration also opened applications for comprehensive high schools and career technical schools to apply for $60 million in CTE program capital grants in fall 2025. This multi-year funding will support over 2,000 new CTE seats through expansion of existing and new career tech programs, as well as for the purchase and installation of training equipment. Awardees are expected to be announced in the winter.
Career and College Planning (MyCAP)
The administration has been working to help districts across Massachusetts adopt the My Career and Academic Plan (MyCAP), including providing technical assistance and coaching to support planning and implementation. MyCAP is a student-centered, multi-year planning tool designed to provide middle and high school students with ongoing opportunities to plan for their academic, personal and career success in high school and beyond.
The MyCAP process begins in grade 6 and continues through grade 12. It uses individual students’ interests, skills and talents to drive learning and post-secondary planning, as well helps students to identify the personal, social and behavioral skills needed to be successful in their desired profession. This process empowers students to connect their career interests with course selections and encourages them to seek out opportunities such as internships, apprenticeships and capstone projects.
MyCAP is an important part of the administration’s work to connect more Massachusetts students, especially those who are historically underrepresented in higher education, with the support they need to seek high-quality college and career opportunities. To date, over 200 schools in more than 150 districts have engaged in MyCAP planning and implementation training from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Access
The administration has been focused on expanding access to AP courses and making the test more affordable so all students can excel, particularly for historically underserved students. Students who take AP courses in high school are more likely to enroll in a 4-year college and perform better in introductory college courses. A score of 3 out of 5 on an AP exam indicates a student’s ability to complete work for an introductory college-level course in that subject area. Some colleges will award students credit for AP scores of 3 or higher.
From spring 2022 through spring 2024, the state used federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds to defray the costs of AP tests for low-income students. The exams cost almost $100 each without a fee subsidy. During the current school year, the state has committed to funding up to $1.25 million in fee subsidies for AP and International Baccalaureate exams as part of the Executive Office of Education’s efforts to reimagine high school. With the state’s contribution, low-income students – or their school – will only need to pay $22 per AP test.
Progress
The number of Massachusetts public school students who took AP exams and earned a score of 3 or higher has risen since 2021, with Black and Hispanic/Latino students making some of the strongest gains. Overall, the number of Massachusetts public school students taking AP tests grew 20 percent between 2021 and 2024, in part because the state has expanded fee waivers available to help students afford the tests.