Bill > H718

This bill amends existing Massachusetts education law to provide clearer guidelines and support for in-school suspensions as an alternative to out-of-school suspensions. The bill defines an in-school suspension as the removal of a student from regular classroom activities for up to 10 consecutive or cumulative school days, while keeping the student on school premises. Schools are encouraged to offer in-school suspension as an alternative disciplinary option, and must ensure that students serving such suspensions can continue to earn academic credits and complete assignments. The bill requires that in-school suspensions be monitored by at least two educators with different subject matter expertise (one from science/mathematics and another from humanities/social sciences), with the flexibility for one person to potentially meet both requirements. Additionally, the state's education department is mandated to provide funding or staffing support to schools that lack sufficient resources to maintain an effective in-school suspension program. The overall goal of the bill appears to be reducing the negative academic and social impacts of traditional out-of-school suspensions by providing a more constructive alternative that keeps students engaged in their education.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H718