Bill > S246

This bill aims to empower students and schools to thrive. It proposes several key changes: 1. It amends the existing "competency determination" requirement for high school graduation, allowing districts to include additional subjects like history, social science, and foreign languages, and providing educational assistance plans for students at risk of not meeting the requirements. 2. It establishes a process for identifying and supporting "comprehensive support and improvement" schools, including the creation of a local stakeholder group to develop a support and improvement plan with evidence-based programs and interventions. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is required to prioritize additional funding for these schools. 3. It requires districts in receivership to develop a transition plan to end the receivership and hire a superintendent within one year. 4. It establishes a special commission to study and make recommendations for a more authentic and accurate system for assessing students, schools, and districts, including exploring alternative assessment methods and measures beyond standardized test scores. The bill aims to empower students and schools by providing additional support, resources, and more holistic approaches to assessment and improvement.