Massachusetts Proposes New High School Graduation Standards

State officials want to require districts to provide standardized coursework and post-secondary planning for all students.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Secondary Education

Massachusetts Proposes New High School Graduation Standards

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The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education recently proposed new regulations that would mandate districts offer MassCore coursework and MyCAP planning. These measures are designed to redefine the requirements for a Massachusetts high school diploma.

Why it matters

The proposal aims to establish a statewide foundation for academic standards following the 2024 decision to overturn the MCAS graduation requirement. Officials seek to create consistency across districts before pursuing future legislative action on student-level requirements.

Approximately 70% of high schools already require MassCore or are one course away from doing so. Additionally, the MyCAP post-secondary planning tool is intended to begin as early as the ninth grade.

The players

Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education

This state board oversees the public education system in Massachusetts and establishes policies that govern school districts across the state.

The details

The implementation framework for these proposed regulations includes end-of-course assessments, capstones, financial literacy, and work-based learning opportunities. These changes follow final recommendations issued by the Education Secretary and DESE Commissioner in June 2026.

Massachusetts overturned the MCAS graduation requirement in 2024.
About 82% of public high school graduates completed the MassCore program in 2025.
Education officials issued final graduation requirement recommendations in June 2026.
The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education met to discuss the updates on October 27, 2026.
The board will begin deliberations on the proposed regulations in November 2026.

Culture Shift

The proposal follows the 2024 decision to overturn the MCAS graduation requirement, marking a fundamental change in how the state defines student readiness. By shifting toward MassCore, the state is moving away from high-stakes testing toward a model centered on foundational curriculum.

Students and families in Massachusetts should expect schools to integrate more structured coursework and long-term planning tools starting in ninth grade. These changes will likely influence how districts structure their graduation requirements and daily academic offerings.

The takeaway

The state is prioritizing a broad academic framework to ensure diplomas carry a consistent standard across all districts. Families should review their school district's current graduation requirements to understand how these upcoming changes may affect future coursework.

What happens next

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is scheduled to begin formal discussions regarding these proposed regulations starting in November 2026.