Public Schools Celebrate Graduation Rates
Boston officials are celebrating a sharp rise in public school graduation rates, but recent policy changes inside the district are raising questions about how those gains were achieved.
Boston Public Schools reported an 81.3% graduation rate for 2025, marking a significant increase from 59.1% in 2006 and the highest level on record. Mayor Michelle Wu credited the improvement to increased academic expectations, stating that students remained engaged because they were being challenged rather than accommodated.
However, changes implemented over the past several years present a more complicated picture. Since 2020, the district has adjusted grading and promotion policies in ways that make it easier for students to complete requirements.
One of the most notable shifts is a move away from traditional failing grades. Teachers are now required to assign “incomplete” marks instead, giving students extended opportunities to recover credits through alternative methods, including online coursework.
At the same time, academic performance indicators have not followed the same upward trajectory as graduation rates. Test scores across the district have remained flat or declined in key areas.
Among low-income students, math scores dropped by 5% between 2017 and 2025, even as graduation rates for that group increased by 12%. English language learners saw sharper declines, with reading scores falling 9% and math performance down 13%, while their graduation rates rose by 21%.
State-level policy changes have also played a role. In 2024, Massachusetts removed the requirement that students pass standardized state exams to earn a diploma, citing concerns that the exams created barriers to graduation. That decision effectively lowered one of the longstanding benchmarks tied to academic readiness.
Despite these shifts, not all students are benefiting equally. Roughly one-third of Boston students are still not on track to graduate under current standards, even after the district introduced a MassCore-based requirement. District leadership is now considering whether to grant exemptions to some students who are unable to meet that benchmark, which would further adjust the criteria tied to graduation.
Educators and officials continue to frame the rising graduation rate as progress, pointing to increased completion as a positive outcome. Some teachers argue that more diplomas reflect improved access and persistence among students who might otherwise have dropped out.