Bill > S252

This bill proposes to amend existing Massachusetts education law to expand learning time programs, which are initiatives designed to increase instructional hours for students. Specifically, it adds "expanded learning time program allotment" to provisions within Chapter 70 and Chapter 71 of the state's general laws, ensuring that funding for these programs is recognized and accounted for. A key provision in Section 4 outlines that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will provide per-pupil funding for expanded learning time programs as part of the charter tuition amount, but only if charter schools meet specific criteria: over 70% of their students are low-income, they offer a minimum of 1,200 instructional hours annually at the elementary level and 1,290 at the middle school level, and they have an approved performance agreement with the DESE. The funding amount for this allotment will be calculated by multiplying the number of enrolled pupils by a wage adjustment factor and then by $1,300.