Bill > S299

This bill amends Chapter 71 of the General Laws to require every school district in Massachusetts to adopt and implement a professional development plan for all principals, teachers, other professional staff, paraprofessionals, and teacher assistants. The plan must include training on creating equitable and inclusive school and classroom climates, using participatory decision-making, delivering curriculum content in racially, linguistically, and culturally responsive ways, and seeking parent and community involvement. The plan must also include training on analyzing and integrating diverse learning styles, methods of collaboration, addressing the effects of gender and racial/cultural bias towards Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and implicit bias. For districts with English learners, the plan must provide training on second language acquisition techniques for teacher and administrator re-certification. The bill also requires the Commissioner of Education to prepare a statewide plan for providing assistance in the preparation and implementation of these professional development plans.