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.
End of the MCAS graduation requirement
With passage of Question 2, educators look to more authentic evaluations
This story appeared in the Winter 2025 edition of MTA Today.
On Nov. 6, Danielle Seltzer’s first-period English class at Amherst-Pelham Regional High School was buzzing about the results of the presidential election.
One student finally asked, "Hey, what happened with the MCAS thing?"
"I said it passed, MCAS is no longer a graduation requirement," Seltzer recalled recently. "They all cheered."
That particular class, Seltzer noted, was for students with special education plans. She said the students are all capable of passing grade-level work, but doing so requires extra effort.
"One young woman — a ninth-grade student — said, ‘I’m so glad I don’t have to worry about MCAS anymore because I can actually focus on school,’ " Seltzer said. "What I didn’t fully realize until that moment, was that at age 14 because of the MCAS and because of who these students were, they already came into high school thinking that they didn’t have a chance. I am so inspired and reinvigorated by the fact that they now have that chance."
Voters decisively passed Question 2 in November, ending the use of the 10th grade MCAS exams as a state-mandated high school graduation requirement. Supporters of the ballot initiative driven by MTA members successfully argued that the high stakes of the MCAS exam narrowed learning and unfairly penalized students who just don’t perform well on standardized tests. In passing Question 2, Massachusetts joined the vast majority of states that have abandoned standardized tests as high school graduation requirements. Just six states continue to use standardized tests for graduation requirements, down from 27 states in 2012.
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.
Election Results by Municipality
Results show that Massachusetts is ready for a new era for public education
This interactive map details the results from the Question 2 ballot initiative by municipality. The communities highlighted in blue are those where a majority voted in support of Question 2. Red and orange are those communities where a majority voted against the ballot question. Darker shades show municipalities in which 60% or more of the electorate voted for or against Question 2.
As this map clearly demonstrates, the vast majority of cities and towns across Massachusetts spoke loud and clear that they are ready for a new era for public education in the Commonwealth that is centered on real teaching and learning and that prepares all students to thrive upon high school graduation and beyond.
News
Gov. 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.
Read MoreMTA 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.
Read MoreMTA responds to new DESE guidance
A fundamental component of the campaign was to correct the injustice of denying diplomas to students who demonstrated through successful completion of coursework.
Read MoreDESE releases Q & A following passage of Question 2
FAQ released related to the end of the MCAS graduation requirement.
Read More"Now is the time to transition toward an approach that addresses the depth and breadth of the individualized educational choices and career interests of our students."
Deb McCarthy, MTA Vice President
Victory on 2024 Election Day
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.
Read more