Before Massachusetts created the MCAS graduation requirement as part of its Education Reform Act of 1993, Latino students faced disproportionately lower graduation rates, college admissions, and pathways to well-paying careers.

Pre-MCAS, nearly a quarter of students did not make it past the graduation stage. Half of those failing students came from Latino-focused Gateway cities like Springfield.

Now, three decades later, Massachusetts ranks No. 1 in education, in part because of our strong graduation requirements. While Latinos still face challenges, families from around the world come here to enroll their students in our world-class system.