Bill > S371

This bill establishes a Comprehensive and Inclusive Curriculum Trust Fund to promote a more representative and diverse educational curriculum in public schools across Massachusetts. The fund will be administered by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education and can receive both public and private funding to support curriculum development, professional development, and grants for school districts. The bill mandates that instruction in public schools must accurately represent and be inclusive of all people, with a specific focus on highlighting the histories, experiences, and contributions of historically underrepresented and marginalized groups. This includes studying literature, art, and contributions from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds across all subject areas, with particular emphasis on examining topics like slavery, segregation, colonial settlement, discrimination, and their ongoing societal impacts. The bill requires schools to incorporate these inclusive teaching standards across multiple disciplines and ensures that all curriculum materials are appropriate for students from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, the legislation requires the department of elementary and secondary education to develop these standards through a collaborative process involving educators, scholars, experts, students, and community members, and to provide professional development and support for implementation. The department must also conduct a public review of the curriculum standards every three years and submit a report on their adoption and effectiveness.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S371