Bill > H596

This bill establishes MassCore, a comprehensive high school program designed to better prepare students for college and workforce success, beginning with ninth-graders in the 2027-2028 school year. The program mandates a specific curriculum including four units each of English and mathematics, three units of lab-based science and history, two units of world language, one unit of arts, and five additional core elective courses. A diverse MassCore advisory council will collaborate with the state education department to develop and implement the program, with provisions for flexibility such as waivers for multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and districts facing financial hardships. The bill also creates a special commission to study alternative student assessment methods, moving beyond traditional testing to explore more holistic evaluation techniques like work samples, portfolios, and performance assessments. The commission will include representatives from various educational, community, and student organizations, and is tasked with recommending strategies that recognize student strengths, avoid racial and ethnic biases, and comply with federal education laws. Both the MassCore implementation and the assessment study emphasize inclusive, transparent processes that meaningfully engage diverse stakeholders, particularly those from historically marginalized communities.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H596