Massachusetts Voters Approve Question 2, Reject Wage Hike

Massachusetts voters have approved Question 2, ending the requirement for high school students to pass the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to graduate, with local districts now setting coursework-based graduation requirements. The Massachusetts Teachers Association supported this change for its benefits to students with disabilities and English learners, while critics expressed concerns about potential impacts on educational standards. Students will continue taking the MCAS for diagnostic purposes. Additionally, Massachusetts voters passed measures related to unionizing rideshare drivers and auditing the Legislature, while rejecting proposals to raise tipped workers' minimum wage and legalize psychedelics. These decisions align with broader national trends, as states like Missouri and Alaska move to increase their minimum wages.