Massachusetts is consistently ranked No. 1 for public education in the country — and on paper, that reputation holds. But when you zoom in beyond the averages, a different picture emerges. The quality of a student’s education still varies dramatically based on their ZIP code. In Gateway Cities like Worcester, outcomes often fall well below the statewide standard — and even within the city, student outcomes vary depending on which high school they attend.
With the decision to drop the MCAS as a graduation requirement, the commonwealth faces a critical inflection point. If we’re serious about equity and excellence, we must take this opportunity to create a unified graduation framework that holds the line on high academic standards while directly confronting disparities between districts — and within them.
The Worcester Public Schools had a graduation rate of 82.8% in 2023 — more than six points below the state average. Just 61% of its graduates enrolled in college within 16 months, compared to 73% statewide. Only 27% of those who enrolled earned a degree within six years — half the success rate of their peers across Massachusetts. These aren’t just statistics — they represent real students with real ambitions, navigating systems that aren’t built for their success…