Bill > H5176

This bill aims to significantly improve vocational-technical education in Massachusetts by requiring the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop policies and regulations to expand these programs, which are defined under Chapter 74 of the General Laws. Key provisions include ensuring that schools offering these programs have reasonable access during the school day to meet with all students, including English language learners and students with disabilities, to inform them about vocational-technical education and career opportunities. It also mandates that these schools can host middle school tours, with transportation costs covered by the host school, and that middle schools must implement a "Chapter 74 Access Policy" to collaborate with regional vocational-technical and agricultural high schools, including providing student contact information to these schools. Furthermore, the bill strengthens the membership of an authority overseeing educational facilities planning by adding individuals with expertise in vocational education and clarifies that a city or town can be a member of both a vocational regional school district and another type of regional school district, allowing them to offer approved vocational programs in their municipal high schools if there's demonstrated demand and the regional district cannot meet it.

Budget and Finance

Committee on Education (Joint)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H5176