Call on state legislators to continue the work
Urge these legislators to support MTA-backed legislation, which builds on our Question 2 victory, by expanding access to the rigorous MassCore program of study and more.
Take Action
Please thank legislators who endorsed Question 2 and share our next steps
The historic passage of Question 2 made clear that the people of Massachusetts want a public education system that maintains the Commonwealth’s high standards, is centered on real teaching and learning, and prepares all students to thrive upon high school graduation and beyond.
The MTA is grateful to the more than 60 state legislators who joined educators, parents, students and community members in fighting to move the Commonwealth closer to this shared vision for public education. Now, in this new legislative session, please contact those legislators to thank them for their support during the campaign and urge them to continue to be champions for public education by supporting An Act to ensure that all students are prepared for future success.
This MTA-backed legislation builds on our Question 2 victory by expanding access to the rigorous MassCore program of study and creating a special commission to study and make recommendations on more holistic and accurate methods of assessing students that align with the skills and knowledge that we all want our students to learn and develop.
Specifically, this legislation will:
- Require MassCore as a statewide program of study for high school students beginning with ninth graders in the 2027-28 school year. Currently, 83.7% of high school students already complete MassCore, which is highly rigorous and consists of 22 total units of English, mathematics, science, history, a world language, the arts and additional elective courses.
- Ensure that MassCore courses continue to be aligned to the Commonwealth’s high educational standards, while also making clear that local school districts and educators continue to able to use their expertise and professional autonomy in designing and administering teaching that is in line with those standards.
- Establish a comprehensive process to implement MassCore that will include soliciting public input; developing waivers by which certain students may be exempt from MassCore; ensuring that students have flexibility in selecting courses that satisfy MassCore; and requiring the Commonwealth to provide the funding necessary for school districts to implement MassCore before the new requirement can take effect.
- Create a MassCore Advisory Council consisting of educators, parents, students and community members with expertise in public education that will work with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on all matters related to MassCore implementation and administration.
- Convene a Special Commission on assessments to identify the skills and knowledge that Massachusetts wants our students to develop and examine ways to more accurately and effectively assess students. The commission will engage in a robust public process as it completes its work, including by holding at least five public meetings and administering a statewide survey.
This legislation is the next step in achieving our goal of a public education system that truly prepares all students for success in the future. Again, please email legislators who endorsed Question 2 to thank them for their support during the campaign and to urge that they co-sponsor HD.1731/SD.698, An Act to ensure that all students are prepared for future success.
Additional Resources
Share your success story
How are your students, your family, your school and you benefiting from the end of the MCAS graduation requirement?
Latest News
DESE releases Q & A following passage of Question 2
New FAQ released related to the end of the MCAS graduation requirement.
ReadMTA on implementing new high-school graduation requirement
Removing the graduation requirement for high school students restores our state’s position as a leader in creating best-in-the-country public schools.
ReadMTA responds to new DESE guidance
A fundamental component of the campaign to end the MCAS graduation requirement was to correct the injustice of denying diplomas to students who demonstrated through successful completion of coursework.
ReadGov. Healey proposed graduation requirement council
We know – and voters agreed – that Massachusetts can do better than rely on MCAS results to determine our students’ readiness to graduate from high school.
ReadLatest News
Question 2 passes! Voters have welcomed a new era in our public schools
MTA leadership: 'This is the beginning of more holistic and thorough assessments of student work'
Massachusetts Teachers Association President Max Page and Vice President Deb McCarthy issued the following statement following the announcement that voters approved Question 2.
In passing Question 2, Massachusetts voters have proclaimed that they are ready to let teachers teach, and students learn, without the onerous effects of a high-stakes standardized test undermining the mission of public education: to prepare all students for future success as citizens, workers and creative, happy adults.
This is truly a collective victory. We are so proud and thankful for everyone who made phone calls, knocked on doors, collected signatures — anything to talk to voters about the urgent need to stop using the MCAS as a graduation requirement. Tens of thousands of educators, parents and public education advocates made it possible for Question 2 to hold a commanding lead throughout election night.
With the passage of Question 2, we are welcoming in a new era for our public schools
“This is the beginning of more holistic and thorough assessments of student work.”
MTA President Max Page and Vice President Deb McCarthy