Bill > H4138

This bill aims to address disparities in achievement and suspensions/expulsions among student subgroups in Massachusetts. The key provisions are: 1. The state commissioner will establish statewide targets and annual benchmarks to address these disparities, and districts must develop 3-year evidence-based plans to meet the targets, with input from the community. 2. Districts must implement various evidence-based programs and interventions in their plans, such as expanded learning time, social services, and disciplinary models that reduce suspensions/expulsions. 3. Districts must report annually on their progress, and the commissioner will publicly report on statewide progress. 4. The bill also defines key terms like "disproportionate number of students" and "disparate rate of lost instruction," and restricts when students can be suspended or expelled, requiring alternative remedies to be tried first, except in cases of serious bodily harm. Overall, the bill aims to increase accountability and require evidence-based strategies to address longstanding inequities in school discipline and academic outcomes for different student subgroups.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H4138