Press Release: 11/20/2025
More than 1 in 4 Massachusetts High School Students Participated in a College and Career Pathway During School Year 24-25
Data shows 80,377 students participated in Career Technical Education, Innovation Career Pathways, Early College or other career-connected learning programs last year
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
11/20/2025
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Jason Law, Press Secretary and Events Coordinator
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Call Jason Law, Press Secretary and Events Coordinator at 617-895-6556
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BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration has released a new data analysis that shows that during the 2024-2025 school year, more than 1 in 4 high school students—or 80,377 students—participated in a College and Career Pathway across Massachusetts. Enrollment in College and Career Pathways has grown by 17 percent since Governor Healey took office, reaching nearly 12,000 more students over three years. Families, educators and community members can now view and explore an interactive statewide online map of the number of students graduating high school while participating in each Pathway by school and region.
Investing in College and Career Pathways, including Career Technical Education (CTE), Innovation Career Pathways (ICP) and Early College, is a cornerstone of the administration’s Reimagining High School initiative. High school students in these pathways often graduate with industry-recognized credentials, work experience, and college credits, giving them an advantage in workforce and post-secondary opportunities.
“It's great to see this growth in College and Career Pathways because it means more students are getting the kind of relevant, applied learning that sets them up for success after they graduate,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Reimagining High School is about helping every student see a future for themselves — whether that’s in college, a career, or both. These numbers show the impact of our work with students, teachers, employers, the Legislature and higher education partners to make school more engaging and connected to the real world.”
“Every student deserves an education that excites them and challenges them,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Through our Reimagining High School initiative, we’re making that vision a reality by giving students more opportunities to explore career pathways, earn college credit, and develop skills that will set them up for success. This growth shows the power of investing in programs that meet students where they are and prepare them for what’s next.”
In the last three years, every region of Massachusetts has seen an increase in the number of graduates participating in College and Career Pathways:
- CTE, the largest Pathway, experienced a 9 percent increase—1,006 more statewide graduates – since 2022. 27 percent of high schools currently provide CTE programs.
- Innovation Career Pathways has shown substantial growth in every part of the state, with an 185 percent increase—1,052 more participating graduates—compared to 2022. Nearly 30 percent of high schools currently provide Innovation Career Pathways.
- The number of Early College graduates nearly doubled in three years, from 1,799 students in 2022 to 3,489 in 2025. Around 16 percent of high schools currently provide Early College programs.
Number of students statewide graduating while participating in each Pathway, 2022 to 2025:
| Pathways | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Percent Growth 2022 to 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total number of MA public high school graduates | 73,901 | 72,602 | 73,043 | N/A | |
| Graduates participating in one or more Pathway | 16,360 | 17,566 | 18,399 | 19,802 | 21% |
| Career Technical Education (Ch. 74) | 11,558 | 11,552 | 11,798 | 12,564 | 9% |
| Career Connections (Non-Ch. 74) | 2,976 | 3,587 | 3,464 | 3,460 | 16% |
| Innovation Career Pathways | 569 | 1,162 | 1,467 | 1,621 | 185% |
| Early College | 1,799 | 2,345 | 2,891 | 3,489 | 94% |
“This data is proof that when we make learning relevant to the real world, our students respond,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “We’re working with employers, school districts and our higher education institutions to build bridges between classrooms and careers. Reimagining High School is not just an initiative — it’s a movement toward equity, engagement, and excellence in every district across the state.”
Health care fields were among the most popular programs across career-oriented Pathways in 2025. Among CTE programs, the Health Assisting program had the most students graduating in 2025. Students can earn credentials during high school to work as a nursing or medical assistant right after graduation and earn college credits toward a related degree through articulation agreements with all 15 Massachusetts community colleges. This was followed by electricity, carpentry, culinary arts and automative technology. For Innovation Career Pathways, health care and social assistance had the highest participation, followed by manufacturing, information and business and finance.
“The data illustrates demand–when presented with courses of study connected to careers and college, students take the opportunity,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “We owe it to our students and to the Commonwealth to continue growing opportunities that connect academics to in-demand jobs that drive our economy. That is why expanding these college and career pathways will be a priority of DESE’s work.”
“Students benefit from getting information about college and careers as early as possible in their K-12 journey so they can start imagining the many possibilities for their future,” said Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega. “I’m especially grateful for the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s commitment to growing Early College, which helps students develop the college-going knowledge to enroll and succeed in higher education.”
Nearly half of all Massachusetts public high schools offer at least one College and Career Pathway. Choosing a Pathway begins in middle school with My Career and Academic Plan (MyCAP), a student-driven process that helps every child design a personalized plan for postsecondary success in college or a career. Last month, the administration awarded $925,000 to 75 school districts and charter programs to support planning and implementing MyCAP.
Throughout STEM Week in October, the administration announced millions of dollars in investments to support the Reimagining High School initiative, including nearly $5.4 million to expand Innovation Career Pathways to 10 new high schools, and $8.5 million to support and grow CTE and other career-connected learning programs in dozens of school districts.
In August, the administration approved 49 CTE programs, supporting 2,334 additional students. In June, Governor Healey signed a supplemental budgetthat included $100 million for CTE capital grants that will add more than 3,000 seats over three years. Also, Governor Healey’s BRIGHT Act includes $100 million for Skills Capital grants that help high schools, colleges and educational institutions upgrade technology and instructional lab spaces, expand career programs, and increase the capacity of workforce training programs.
“These numbers reflect the incredible work happening in our schools to connect learning with opportunity,” said Representative Alice Peisch. “By expanding College and Career Pathways, we’re ensuring that students across every region of Massachusetts can access programs that align with their interests and the needs of our economy. This continued growth is a testament to the partnership between educators, employers, and higher education partners who are helping our students build skills, confidence, and a clear vision for their future.”
“The Massachusetts Legislature is committed to providing a wide range of educational opportunities for high school students to learn specialized skills, earn college credits, gain valuable work experience, and prepare them for graduation,” said Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “It’s wonderful to see so much engagement from students in these programs, and we look forward to seeing its continued success.”
“The College and Career Pathways program gives high school students a valuable opportunity to gain real-world experience in fields about which they are passionate,” said Representative Ken Gordon, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “I am glad to see the growing number of students taking part in this program.”