Massachusetts proposes new high school graduation requirements including MassCore and MyCAP

Massachusetts education officials are preparing to submit new regulations that would require school districts to provide MassCore coursework and My Career and Academic Plan (MyCAP) programs, according to lowellsun.com. These proposals are part of the state’s transition to a new K-12 graduation framework following the elimination of MCAS exams in 2024.

The MassCore program includes foundational coursework in subjects such as English, math, science, and the arts, and has been adopted by 70% of high schools that submitted local graduation requirements. In 2025, 82% of Massachusetts public high school graduates completed MassCore, according to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

The MyCAP proposal would require students to begin career exploration and academic planning in ninth grade to help them navigate course selection and develop skills for postsecondary success. DESE officials highlighted research showing MassCore as a strong predictor of postsecondary success and MyCAP’s positive relationship with high school graduation and college application rates.

These regulatory proposals were introduced at the DESE meeting on October 26 and represent key components to redefining what a diploma in Massachusetts represents. The framework also includes end-of-course assessments, portfolios or capstones, financial literacy, and work-based learning.

The proposals have met resistance from teachers unions, continuing a familiar conflict with the state’s education establishment over new graduation mandates, as reported by lowellsun.com.