Bill > H658

This bill requires the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to establish a professional development program for educators focused on gifted and beyond grade-level students. Specifically, educators will need to complete 15 hours of professional development in gifted education every five years when renewing their license, if their classroom, school, or district includes students who are or could be identified as gifted. The bill also mandates that new educators receiving provisional or standard certification must complete training in gifted education, including strategies to identify and support talented students and address potential biases that might prevent students from different backgrounds (such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or language background) from being recognized as gifted. Additionally, school districts must report annually on their gifted education training, including the number of educators trained and how their Title II Part A programs support beyond grade-level learners. The goal is to ensure that educators are better equipped to recognize, support, and develop the potential of gifted and advanced students across diverse populations.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H658