Bill > S311

This bill aims to promote educator diversity in Massachusetts. It establishes an alternative process for granting educator certification that considers factors like prior certification, portfolio assessments, and advanced degrees, in addition to testing requirements. The bill also requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to develop guidelines for school districts to increase racial and ethnic diversity among educators, including policies to identify and eliminate barriers, recruit and retain diverse educators, and ensure equal opportunity. DESE must review district diversity plans, assist with compliance, and require educator preparation programs to implement their own diversity plans. The bill also mandates the collection and public reporting of statewide and district-level educator diversity data, the appointment of diversity officers or teams in each district, and annual diversity training for education leaders. Finally, the bill creates an educator diversity grant program to support initiatives that increase the recruitment and retention of diverse educators.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S311