Boston Public Schools Graduation Rates: A Closer Examination

Boston Public Schools (BPS) has reported a historic graduation rate of 81.3 percent for the class of 2025, a significant increase from 59.1 percent in 2006. Mayor Michelle Wu emphasized that this rise does not reflect lowered expectations or altered standards. However, a detailed analysis of standardized test scores and educational policies raises questions about the true implications of these graduation statistics.

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Despite the increase in graduation rates, standardized test scores in reading and math have remained stagnant. BPS students' SAT scores are around the College Board's benchmarks for college and career readiness, yet many students fall below these thresholds. For instance, while the graduation rate for low-income students rose by 12 percent from 2017 to 2025, their math scores declined by 5 percent. Similarly, English Language Learners (ELL) experienced a 21 percent increase in graduation rates, but their reading and math scores dropped by approximately 9 percent and 13 percent, respectively.

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State assessments through the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) reveal further concerns. Only about 40 percent of tenth-graders in Boston meet expectations in reading and math, with proficiency rates for low-income and ELL students significantly lower—less than a third and under 10 percent, respectively.

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BPS policies have contributed to the disconnect between graduation rates and actual student achievement. The district's credit-recovery programs allow students to retake failed courses, which has been shown to artificially inflate graduation rates. A 2012 study indicated that such programs increased the four-year graduation rate by 4.8 percentage points.

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Additionally, changes in grading policies have further complicated the situation. In the 2021-22 school year, BPS implemented a policy prohibiting “No Credit” grades, allowing teachers to assign “incomplete” marks instead. This shift was intended to promote equitable learning recovery but has raised concerns about the integrity of academic standards.

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Critics argue that the focus on graduation rates over genuine learning outcomes undermines educational quality. A 2018 audit of a Brooklyn high school revealed that 96 percent of make-up courses awarded credits inappropriately, highlighting a trend that may also be present in Boston. Furthermore, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, a key proponent of a 2024 ballot initiative that removed the requirement for students to pass the MCAS to graduate, contended that the exam did not accurately reflect the state's academic standards.

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Mayor Wu and BPS leadership have celebrated the increase in graduation rates, framing it as a success for the district. However, critics assert that this rise is more a result of policy changes than an indication of improved academic achievement, warning that students may face challenges in real-world readiness as a consequence.

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“Graduation rates used to be a reasonable proxy for students’ academic standards.” — Education Analyst

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While Boston Public Schools celebrates its highest graduation rates to date, the juxtaposition with stagnant academic performance raises critical questions about the effectiveness of current educational policies. The implications of these trends warrant careful scrutiny as stakeholders consider the future of education in Boston.

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