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MassINC Policy Center The nonprofit MassINC Policy Center produces rigorous, nonpartisan research and collaborates with civic leaders to find solutions to complex social and economic challenges.

The MassINC Polling Group The MassINC Polling Group is a full-service survey opinion research company offering public opinion research to public, private, and social sector clients.

CommonWealth Beacon CommonWealth publishes in-depth, balanced, and independent journalism. It covers politics, policy, ideas, and civic life, with an emphasis on investigative reporting, in-depth analysis, and political mapping.

Featured Research

Research — Policy Center

Opening the Doors to the Jobs of the Future

Expanding Early College access and strengthening career-connected learning are critical to ensuring Massachusetts maintains a competitive, skilled workforce, and this report outlines four key objectives to guide the state's expansion strategy.

March 3, 2025

Key Takeaways

Massachusetts must significantly expand Early College programs to reach more low-income students, as current enrollment remains too limited to make a substantial impact. The state should prioritize high-potential high schools and utilize hybrid or online learning models to ensure accessibility, particularly for students in rural areas.
Current Early College programs lack structured connections to high-demand industries like health and STEM. A more robust program should integrate specialized advising, career development experiences, and credit accumulation targets, while also aligning Early College with Innovation and Career Pathway (ICP) programs.
Expanding Early College to middle-income students can create more diverse learning environments, strengthen urban schools, and support high school redesign in smaller districts. Targeted strategies include regional partnerships, urban magnet schools, and enrollment goals that promote integration in Boston and the Gateway Cities.
Sustainable Early College expansion will require clear governance structures, accountability measures, and administrative capacity. Some necessary policy changes will need to be addressed through board decisions, legislation, and budget appropriations.

Upcoming Events

Event

Apr. 8, 2025

Reclaiming Vacant Property Conference

This gathering will bring together community leaders, policymakers, and practitioners to share ideas and strategies for transforming vacant properties into vibrant spaces to answer housing needs in Massachusetts.

10:00am – 3:00pmMassMutual Center