Council members announced and sworn in at first meeting; regional listening sessions across Massachusetts begin in April

The Healey-Driscoll Administration kicked off its first meeting of the K-12 Statewide Graduation Council last week at Worcester State University. Earlier this year, Governor Healey signed Executive Order 639 that established the Council to study and make 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.   

“Every student in Massachusetts deserves a high-quality education that prepares them for success in college, career and life. We want to maintain our high standards and ensure that every student, no matter where they live, is getting the best education possible,” said Governor Maura Healey. “The Graduation Council will take a thoughtful, data-driven approach to evaluating our current system and together, we’ll build a framework that ensures Massachusetts schools remain the very best and that we are setting up every student for success.” 

“A statewide graduation standard is about more than just a diploma—it’s about making sure every student is equipped with the knowledge and skills to thrive after high school,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Over the next several months, our K-12 Statewide Graduation Council will engage educators, students, families, and business leaders to develop a fair and forward-thinking approach that reflects the evolving needs of our workforce and higher education institutions.”  

The council will launch six regional and virtual listening sessions starting April 10 at Taunton High School to gather feedback directly from communities, including students, families, educators, administrators, higher education experts, the business community, and the public. The council will also review current practices across the country, assess existing local variations in graduation requirements and explore what skills and knowledge Massachusetts students need to thrive in college, careers, and civic life, including potential course requirements, examinations, and alternative methods of demonstrating student achievement. 

“The work of the K-12 Statewide Graduation Council will be critical in shaping the future of education in Massachusetts. We must ensure that our graduation standards align with what students need to succeed beyond high school—whether that means pursuing higher education or entering the workforce,” said Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler. “By bringing together diverse voices and perspectives, we can craft a graduation standard that reflects both academic excellence and prepares students for the real-world.” 

The council will be co-chaired by Secretary Tutwiler and the incoming Elementary and Secondary Education commissioner. People can learn more about the graduation council, upcoming meetings and regional listening sessions at Mass.gov/K12GradCouncil. 

Council members:

Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler, Co-Chair
Michael Dannenberg, Department of Higher Education
David Martinez, Haverhill High School Student, Governor’s Youth Advisory Council
Tamara Rivera-DeJesus, Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School Student, State Student Advisory Council
Annabelle Griffith, Norton High School Student
Byron Guadelupe, Holyoke North High School Student
Michelle Terry, Plymouth North High School Educator and Milken Award Winner
Adda Santos-Smith, Somerville High School Educator
Max Page, Massachusetts Teachers Association
Erik Berg, Boston Teachers Union
Jessica Tang, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts
Thea Stovell Herndon, Randolph Public Schools Superintendent, Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents
Denise Pigeon, Nashoba Valley Technical High School Superintendent, Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators
Beth Anderson, Phoenix Charter Academy Schools Executive Director, Massachusetts Charter Public School Association
Jason Fraser, Plympton/Silver Lake School Committees, Massachusetts Association of School Committees
Bob Bardwell, Massachusetts School Counselors Association
Amanda Seider, OneGoal
Ellen Kennedy, Berkshire Community College President, Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges
Michael Bobbitt, Massachusetts Cultural Council
Jenny Curtin, Barr Foundation
Ed Lambert, MA Business Alliance for Education
Doug Howgate, MA Taxpayers Foundation
JD Chesloff, MA Business Roundtable
State Representative Alice Peisch, House Speaker Appointee
Monique Ching, Senate President Appointee
Jim Peyser, House Minority Leader Appointee
Hirak Shah, Senate Minority Leader Appointee

*Please note there are six additional members still going through the appointment process.

— Executive Office of Education