Bill > S409

This bill establishes a special legislative commission on community schools to investigate and make recommendations about adopting community school strategies across Massachusetts. The 15-member commission will include legislative, state agency, and organizational representatives, as well as student, parent, educator, and community stakeholders. A "community school" is defined as a public school that creates strategic partnerships to support student achievement and community well-being through comprehensive services and collaborative approaches. The commission's responsibilities include analyzing successful implementation models, investigating policies that support community school adoption, assessing current outcomes in Massachusetts, defining essential implementation principles, researching evidence-based impacts, and identifying potential barriers to adoption. By February 15, 2026, the commission must submit a detailed report to various legislative and executive bodies, which will include policy recommendations for statewide community school adoption, potential definitions, funding strategies, and a proposed pilot program. The pilot program recommendations will cover eligible communities, necessary resources, funding processes, and evaluation criteria. This comprehensive approach aims to systematically explore and potentially expand community school strategies throughout the state.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S409