Bill > H562

This bill aims to strengthen public education in the Commonwealth by implementing several key provisions. It requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to establish a data collection and reporting system to track funding for English learners and low-income students, and to improve access to school-level expenditure data. It also creates an advisory board called the Stakeholder Data Advisory Committee to help streamline financial reporting, strengthen the department's data analysis capabilities, and support districts in using data to make strategic resource allocation decisions. The bill also modifies the foundation budget calculations under Chapter 70 of the General Laws. It updates the definitions of "Assumed in-school special education enrollment" and "Assumed tuitioned-out special education enrollment", and expands the definition of "Foundation benefits" to include additional cost factors. Notably, it establishes an "English language learner allotment" and provides additional reimbursement for districts with high concentrations of English learners. Lastly, the bill establishes a Foundation Budget Review Commission to evaluate the foundation budget calculations every 3 years and make recommendations for potential changes, with a focus on adequately funding programs and services to support student achievement and close achievement gaps.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H562