Bill > H746

This bill aims to enhance transparency and accountability in Massachusetts charter schools by tasking the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) with several key responsibilities. The Department will be required to gather comprehensive waitlist information for charter schools, including student addresses, phone numbers, and birthdates, while maintaining appropriate data privacy protections. DESE will develop more efficient waitlist processing methods, potentially creating a standardized, centralized online application system. The bill mandates that the Department routinely verify waitlist information, collaborate with schools to establish guidance for innovative programs and best practices, and conduct thorough charter school renewal evaluations. During the renewal process, DESE must ensure that charter schools meet requirements for developing innovative programs, establishing corrective action plans for schools that fall short, and consistently applying performance criteria. Additionally, the Department will develop comprehensive data verification policies, including on-site inspections and systems to address data quality issues, with the goal of ensuring ongoing accountability and improvement in charter school operations.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H746