Bill > S380

This bill aims to address disparities in student achievement, suspension, and expulsion in public schools by establishing a comprehensive accountability framework. The legislation requires the state commissioner of education to set statewide targets for addressing persistent disparities among student subgroups, including tracking annual days of lost instruction. School districts must develop three-year evidence-based plans to meet these targets, which involve consulting with parents, community stakeholders, and educators. The plans must outline specific strategies to reduce disparities, such as expanding learning time, improving social services, diversifying educator workforce, implementing restorative justice models, and creating alternative disciplinary approaches. Districts are required to submit their plans every three years, with annual updates and data reporting, and must make these plans publicly available. The bill also introduces new definitions for key terms like "disparate rate of lost instruction" and requires detailed reporting on student disciplinary data, disaggregated by various categories including race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, and disability. Furthermore, the commissioner must investigate and recommend intervention models for schools with significant suspension or disproportionate disciplinary actions, and publicly identify schools that meet these criteria, with the goal of creating more equitable educational environments.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S380