ECSheading
From the ECS State Policy Database
Massachusetts


Education Commission of the States • 700 Broadway, Suite 810 • Denver, CO 80203-3442 • 303.299.3600 • fax 303.296.8332 • www.ecs.org

This database is made possible by your state's fiscal support of the Education Commission of the States (ECS). Most entries are legislative, although rules/regulations and executive orders that make substantive changes are included. Every effort is made to collect the latest available version of policies; in some instances, recent changes might not be reflected. For expediency purposes minimal attention has been paid to style (capitalization, punctuation) and format.

Please cite use of the database as: Education Commission of the States (ECS) State Policy Database, retrieved [date].

Issue Status/Date Level Summary

Background Checks


Signed into law 01/2013

P-12
An Act relative to background checks
H.B. 4307
Requires the Board of Education to conduct a fingerprint-based background test before issuing a teacher or child care license. Directs the b...

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Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses


Signed into law 01/2013

P-12
Virtual Schools
H.B. 4274
Directs the board of elementary and secondary education to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to establish one or more commonwealth virtual...

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P-3


Signed into law 09/2012

P-12
Third Grade Reading Expert Panel
H.B. 4243
Establishes an Early Literacy Expert Panel to develop recommendations to have all students in the commonwealth reading proficiently by the e...

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At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)


Signed into law 08/2012

P-12
Student Access to Educational Services and Exclusion from School
H.B. 4332
Requires districts to continue to provide educational services to students who have been suspended or expelled. Requires principals to ensur...

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P-3 Child Care


Signed into law 08/2012

P-12
Family Child Care Providers
H.B. 3986
Defines family child care providers and family child care services.

Provides that family child care providers shall be considered public em...

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Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities


Signed into law 08/2012

Postsec.
Establishes the Afterschool and Out-of-School Time Coordinating Council
S.B. 2111
Establishes the afterschool and out-of-school time coordinating council, consisting of 15 members. Outlines members, terms, meeting frequenc...

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Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Evaluation and Effectiveness


Signed into law 06/2012

P-12
Teacher and Principal Evaluation Systems
S.B. 2315
Requires the State Board to establish and maintain a data system for the purpose of assessing the effectiveness of district evaluation syste...

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Attendance


Signed into law 05/2012

P-12
Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
S.B. 2254
Provides definitions of military terms and provides that this legislation applies to active duty members of the uniformed services, members ...

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Postsecondary Students--Military


Signed into law 05/2012

Postsec.
Academic Credit for Military Students
S.B. 2254
Requires public institution of higher education to develop a set of policies and procedures governing the evaluation of a student's military...

More...

School/District Structure/Operations--Shared Services


Signed into law 03/2012

P-12
Accountability and Oversight of Education Collaboratives
S.B. 2105
Defines an education collaborative as a written agreement to provide shared programs and services, including instructional, administrative, ...

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Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Special Education


Signed into law 03/2012

P-12
Transition Coordinator Endorsement
H.B. 3720
Requires the board of elementary and secondary education to provide a specialist teacher endorsement in transition services including course...

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Curriculum--Drivers Education


Signed into law 08/2010

P-12
Motorcycle Drivers Education
S.B. 2344
An Act relative to assuring that motorcyclists between the ages of 16 and 18 are provided with adequate education relative to the proper saf...

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School Safety--Bullying Prevention/Conflict Resolution


Signed into law 05/2010

P-12
Prohibiting Bullying
S.B. 2404
Prohibits bullying on school grounds or at a school- sponsored or related activity, a school bus, or through the use of a electronic device ...

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Accountability


Signed into law 01/2010

P-12
Underperforming or Chronically Underperforming Schools
S.B. 2247; (NEW BILL)
Repeals and replaces existing policies relating to Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education to designate a school as underperformi...

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Choice of Schools--Charter Schools


Signed into law 01/2010

P-12
Students Living Outside the Commonwealth
S.B. 2247; (NEW BILL)
Directs the department of education to study the possibility of allowing students living outside of the commonwealth who are eligible to att...

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Choice of Schools--Charter Schools


Signed into law 01/2010

P-12
Charter School Recruitment and Retention
S.B. 2247; (NEW BILL)
Directs the department education to draft a model policy for school districts regarding the grade placement and eligibility for high school ...

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Choice of Schools--Charter Schools


Signed into law 01/2010

P-12
Charter School Recruitment and Retention
S.B. 2247; (NEW BILL)
Requires charter schools whose charter was granted before January 1, 2010 to have a recruitment and retention plan in effect for the 2011-20...

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Choice of Schools--Charter Schools


Signed into law 01/2010

P-12
Charter School
S.B. 2247; (NEW BILL)
Repeals and replaces existing policies relating to charter schools.
http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/senate/186/st02/st02247.htm...

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Governance


Signed into law 01/2010

P-12
Innovation Schools
S.B. 2247; (NEW BILL)
An Innovation School shall be a public school, operating within a public school district, that is established for the purpose of improving s...

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Postsecondary


Signed into law 01/2010

Postsec.
Creating New State Universty System
H.B. 4864
Creates a state university system for nine current state colleges. Six state colleges will be renamed as Bridgewater State University, Fitch...

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School/District Structure/Operations


Signed into law 01/2010

P-12
Education Collaboratives
S.B. 2247; (NEW BILL)
Authorizes two or more school committees of cities, towns and regional school districts and boards of trustees of charter schools to enter i...

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Student Achievement--Closing the Achievement Gap


Signed into law 01/2010

P-12
Closing the Achievement Gap
S.B. 2247; (NEW BILL)
Relates to education reform to turnaround underperforming schools, collective purchasing, public purchases, competitive bidding and vendor p...

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Economic/Workforce Development


Signed into law 06/2009

Postsec.
Co-operative Engineer Program
S.B. 2087
Section 42: Permits the personnel administrator of the commonwealth to establish a co-operative engineer program and to enter into agreement...

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Middle School


Signed into law 12/2008

P-12
Commission on Middle Education
H.B. 4800
Revives and continues the special commission on middle education in the Commonwealth.
http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/185/ht04pdf/ht04...

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Parent/Family


Signed into law 12/2008

P-12
Authorizing a Designated Caregiver
H.B. 4718
Provides the procedures by which a parent, legal guardian, or legal custodian of a minor, by a caregiver authorization affidavit, may author...

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School Safety


Signed into law 12/2008

P-12
Idling of Vehicles on School Grounds
S.B. 2628
Improves school campus air quality; restricts idling of school buses and personal motor vehicles on school grounds.
http://www.mass.gov/legi...

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School Safety


Signed into law 12/2008

P-12
Bus Driver Training in First Aid
H.B. 4396
Relates to the licensing of school bus drivers; requires such drivers to be trained in a basic course in first aid including the administrat...

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Parent/Family


Signed into law 10/2008

P-12
Develoment of Education Programs
H.B. 391
Provides access to pupil information for parents and evaluators; provides that a school committee shall, upon request by parents, provide ti...

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Parent/Family


Signed into law 09/2008

P-12
Placement of Twins in Classrooms
H.B. 469
Relates to classroom placement of twins; provides that the parents of twins or higher order multiples may request that the children be place...

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Accountability


Signed into law 08/2008

P-12
School District Accountability
H.B. 4967
Relates to school district accountability; provides the the makeup of the membership of the advisory council on school and district accounta...

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Economic/Workforce Development


Signed into law 08/2008

Postsec.,
Community College
Green Jobs in the Commonwealth
H.B. 5018
Provides for the creation of the Clean Energy Technology Center and related Alternative and Clean Energy Investment Trust Fund; provides the...

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High School


Signed into law 08/2008

P-12
Dropout Prevention
S.B. 2766
Improves dropout prevention and reporting of graduation rates; requires providing public school districts with a standardized format for the...

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Leadership


Signed into law 08/2008

P-12
Principal Contracts
S.B. 273
Relates to defining school principal's contracts; provides for school principals entering into individual employment contracts with their em...

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Health--Child Abuse


Signed into law 07/2008

P-12
Commission on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
H.B. 4905
Provides for protection of children in the care of the Commonwealth to include a commission on grandparents raising grandchildren, child abu...

More...

P-3


Signed into law 07/2008

P-12
Clarification of Provisions
H.B. 4706
Clarifies provisions relating to early education and care.
http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/185/ht04pdf/ht04706.pdf...

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Postsecondary


Signed into law 07/2008

P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College
Transition Age Requirements and Measurable Postsecondary Goals
S.B. 286
Provides for maintaining transition age requirements and measurable postsecondary goals for school age students with disabilities.
http://ww...

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Governance


Adopted 01/2008

P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College
Reorganizing Certain Education Agencies
Executive Order /H.B. 4488
Submits from the governor to the legislature a reorganization plan number 1 of 2008. Relates to reorganizing certain education agencies. Cre...

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Health


Signed into law 12/2007

P-12
Hygenic Procedures Pertaining to Instruments
H.B. 413
Establishes a task force within the department of education to examine specified hygienic procedures pertaining to band instruments to preve...

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Health


Signed into law 12/2007

P-12

H.B. 413
Establishes a task force within the department of education to examine hygienic procedures pertaining to school band instruments to prevent ...

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Health--Child Abuse


Issued 12/2007

P-12
Office of the Child Advocate
Executive Order 494
Establishes the Office of the Child Advocate within the Executive Office and sets means of appointment, duties, etc.. The Office of the Chil...

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Civic Education


To governor 11/2007

P-12
Commonwealth Corps
S.B. 2301
Establishes the Commonwealth Corps; provides for volunteer community service; creates a pilot program for the Commonwealth Student Corps.
ht...

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Accountability


Issued 08/2007

P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College
The Readiness Project
Executive Order No. 489
Establishes the Readiness Project to develop a plan to implement fundamental and systemic reforms to public education in the Commonwealth ov...

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Finance


Signed into law 08/2007

P-12
Regional School Budget Process
H.B. 586
Relates to streamlining the regional school budget process, capital outlay expenses and a city or town's apportioned share for expenditures....

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School Safety


Signed into law 07/2007

P-12
Housing for Sex Offenders
H.B. 1441
Regulates housing for convicted sex offenders. Provides restrictions for offenders residing within a certain distance of school zones in the...

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High School--Graduation Requirements


Adopted 03/2007

P-12
Competency Standards and Certificate of Mastery for High School Graduation
603 CMR 30.00, -31.00
Enhances the Competency Determination standard for high school graduation and revises the Certificate of Mastery to increase the proportion ...

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High School


Signed into law 07/2006

P-12
Students w/ Disabilities and High School Graduation Ceremonies
H.B. 4710
Allows students with disabilities to participate in graduation ceremonies. A school age child with a disability who is completing the twelft...

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Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure


Adopted 07/2006

P-12,
Postsec.
Requirements for Teachers of English Language Learners
603 CMR 7.00
Removes the current requirement that English Language Learners (ELL)license candidates pass a second subject-matter test. Relieves already-l...

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Health


Adopted 06/2006

Postsec.,
Community College
Student Health Insurance Program
114.6 CMR 3.00
Implements the statutory requirement that students enrolled inMassachusetts institutions of higher education participate in a qualifyingstud...

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Accountability--Reporting Results


Signed into law 04/2006

P-12
Student Report Cards to Parents
S.B. 2206
Describes the requirements for providing student records to parents and the information that must be included academic and other indicators....

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Health--Mental Health


Signed into law 03/2006

P-12
Students w/ Autism
H.B. 1123
Relates to the special education needs of children with autism spectrum disorder.
http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/ht01pdf/ht01123.pdf...

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Students--Records/Rights


Emergency Rule Adoption 08/2005

P-12
Student Records
603 CMR 23.00
Amends rules regarding student records. Complies with federal law concerning access to student records by non-custodial parents. MASSACHUSET...

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High School--Exit Exams


Rule Adoption 07/2005

P-12
Comprehensive Assessment System and Standards
603 CMR 30.00
Amends the Comprehensive Assessment System and Standards for Competency Determination rules. Adds one discipline in science and technology a...

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Special Education--Finance


Re-enacted by the Senate 07/2005

P-12
Maximizing federal reimbursement for children with autism
H.B. 4177

The secretary of health and human services shall, within three months of the effective date of this Act, apply to the federal Centers for M...

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Curriculum--Sex Education


In HOUSE. Placed on the Orders of the Day. 03/2005

P-12
Abstinence Education Project Funds
H.B. 44
Relates to the use of abstinence education project funds....

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Choice of Schools--Charter Schools


Emergency Rule Adoption 12/2004

P-12
Charter School Funding Formula
603 CMR 1.00
Establishes a new charter school formula. Implements the new provisions of state law so that the next quarterly tuition payments may be made...

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Students


Signed into law 12/2004

P-12
Diabetic Student Treatment
S.B. 2231
Authorizes self-monitoring and treatment of students with diabetes. Notwithstanding any general or special law or regulation to the contrary...

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School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation


Signed into law 11/2004

P-12
Governor Amendment of Supplemental Budget Section 30
H.B. 5083
Contains the text of a Governor amendment of Section 30 of the House bill numbered 5076 which relates to state reimbursement for school tran...

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Special Education


Rule Adoption 11/2004

P-12
School Finance Regulations
603 CMR 10.00
Amends rules to implement changes in the process used to calculated special education reimbursements under the so called 'circuit breaker' p...

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Postsecondary


Signed into law 10/2004

Postsec.
Retirement and Research Faculty Salaries
H.B. 2873
Relates to providing creditable service for retirement purposes for certain research faculty employed at the University of Massachusetts. Pr...

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Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay


*****Returned to HOUSE with GOVERNOR'S recommendation of amendments. For message see H 5111. 10/2004

P-12
School Nurse Creditable Service
H.B. 4677
Relates to creditable service for service rendered as a school nurse; provides that specified years of membership service as a school nurse ...

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Health


Signed into law 09/2004

P-12
Enzyme Supplements
H.B. 4409
Allows students with cystic fibrosis to self- administer prescription enzyme supplements; provides that no school district shall prohibit st...

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At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education


Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 07/2004

P-12
Alternative Education Grant Program
H.B. 4914
Relates to establishing an alternative education grant program; contains text of section 126 of H 4850; requires that parents or legal guard...

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Curriculum--Science


Vetoed 07/2004

P-12
Science Class Dissections
H.B. 1252
Provides that the Board of Education be directed to establish guidelines for dissections in science classes in the public schools of the Com...

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Desegregation


Signed into law 07/2004

P-12,
Postsec.
School Building Assistance Program
H.B. 4978
Relates to the School Building Assistance Program; provides for grants, investments, trusts and bonds; creates the School Building Authority...

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Finance--Facilities


Signed into law 07/2004

P-12
School Building Assistance Program
H.B. 4977
Relates to the School Building Assistance Program; provides for the dedicated sales tax revenue amount; creates the School Modernization and...

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Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies


Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 07/2004

P-12
Board of Education Membership
H.B. 4903
Relates to the membership makeup of the State Board of Education.

http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/ht04903.htm...

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Health


Signed into law 07/2004

P-12
Vision Screening
S.B. 687
Relates to the requirement of vision screening for kindergarten students; provides that parents and guardians shall present certification th...

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Health


Signed into law 07/2004

Postsec.,
Community College
Student Meningococcal Immunizations
S.B. 2159
Requires student immunization against meningococcal disease; includes public and private colleges, universities and public and private secon...

More...

Health


Signed into law 07/2004

P-12
Meningitis Immunization Awareness
S.B. 2155
Relates to meningitis immunization awareness; requires all public and private secondary school, public and private universities, day care ce...

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P-3


Signed into law 07/2004

P-12
Early Childhood Education and Care
H.B. 4904
Relates to early childhood education and care; contains text of section 35 of H 4850; relates to recognition of advancements in educational ...

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Teaching Quality--Preparation


Rule Adoption 07/2004

P-12
Educator Licensure and Preparation Program
603 CMR 4.13, 7.00, 7.14, 47.11
Amends rules relating to the educator licensure and preparation program, the vocational education regulations, and the licensure of adult ba...

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Assessment


Rule Adoption 03/2004

P-12
Comprehensive Assessment System Performance Appeals
603 CMR 30.00
Amends rules relating to the Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) performance appeals process, and incorporates provisions regarding stude...

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Assessment


Emergency Rule Adoption 02/2004

P-12
Comprehensive Assessment System and Standards
603 CMR 30.00
Establishes emergency rules relating to students with disabilities. Revises rules that relates to performance appeals. MASSACHUSETTS REG 828...

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Finance


Rule Adoption 01/2004

P-12
School Finance Regulations
603 CMR 10.00
Amends rules relating to school finance regulations. Implements changes in the formula used to calculate special education reimbursements in...

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Career/Technical Education


Rule Adoption 08/2003

P-12
Vocational Technical Schools
603 CMR 4.00
Relates to Guidelines for Vocational Technical Education Programs and Educator Licensure, and the Guidelines for Admission Policies of Vocat...

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Assessment--High Stakes/Competency


Rule Adoption 07/2003

P-12
Standards for Competency Determination on MCAS
603 CMR 30.03
Students in the graduating class of 2003 shall meet or exceed the Needs Improvement threshold scaled score of 220 on both the English Langua...

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Bilingual/ESL


Rule Adoption 05/2003

P-12
Education of English Learners Regulations
603 CMR 14.00
Amends rules relating to the provision of education to students who are limited English proficient. Requires school districts to provide Eng...

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Career/Technical Education


Signed into law 01/2003

P-12
Workers Compensation Insurance
H.B. 2852
Relates to providing Workers Compensation insurance coverage for certain students participating in a school-to-work program. Provides that s...

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Leadership


Pocket Veto by GOVERNOR. 01/2003

P-12
Principal Contracts
S.B. 2079
Relates to defining principal's contracts....

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School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation


Signed into law 01/2003

P-12
School Bus Passing Penalty
H.B. 4405
Increases the penalty for passing a school bus. http://www.state.ma.us/legis/laws/seslaw02/sl020443.htm...

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Teaching Quality--Paraprofessionals


Signed into law 01/2003

P-12,
Postsec.
Paraprofessional Incentive Program
H.B. 4702
Establishes a paraprofessional incentive program to provide grants to residents who are working as paraprofessionals in public schools while...

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Governance--School Boards


Signed into law 12/2002

P-12
School Board Member Training
H.B. 783
Requires school committee members [local school board members] to complete at least 8 hours of orientation concerning their responsibilities...

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Background Checks


Signed into law 11/2002

P-12
Background Checks for School Employees, Volunteers and Contractors
S.B. 2436
Defines enticement. Requires any organization offering activities or programs to children age 18 or younger and that uses volunteers to obt...

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Bilingual/ESL


Approved by voters 11/2002

P-12
ESL Instruction via Sheltered English Immersion
Question 2
Proposes by initiative petition; requires public schools to educate English learners through a sheltered English immersion program; provides...

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School Safety


Signed into law 10/2002

P-12
State and Local Policies on Student Overnight or Early Morning Travel
H.B. 4937
Requires every local board to establish a policy concerning student travel that is planned to occur between the hours of midnight and 6 A.M....

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School Safety


Signed into law 09/2002

P-12
Crime of Communicating Terrorist Threats
S.B. 2122
Establishes the crime of communicating terrorists threats; prohibits threats that cause evacuation of a school, school related event or scho...

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Bilingual/ESL


Signed into law 08/2002

P-12
District Programs for and Assessment of Limited English Proficient Students
H.B. 5010
Creates within department the office of language acquisition to aid the commissioner in overseeing creation of district English language lea...

More...

Curriculum


Signed into law 08/2002

P-12
Foreign Language Instruction to Be Required in Elementary Schools
H.B. 5010
"[W]ithin five years of the effective date of this act, any foreign language classes required by the department [...] or by a school distric...

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Governance--Site-Based Management


Signed into law 08/2002

P-12
Parent Advisory Councils for Parents of English Language Learners
H.B. 5010
Establishes in each district serving at least 50 students in English language learners program a parent advisory council comprised of parent...

More...

Health


Signed into law 08/2002

P-12
Students with Asthma May Possess and Use Prescription Inhalers
H.B. 4411
Forbids school districts from prohibiting students with asthma or other respiratory diseases from possessing and administering prescription ...

More...

P-3


Signed into law 08/2002

P-12
Preschool, Extended-Day and -Year Programs for Limited English Proficient Students
H.B. 5010
Permits districts to establish full-time or part-time preschool, after-school or summer school programs English language learners programs, ...

More...

Postsecondary Faculty--Tenure


Signed into law 08/2002

Postsec.
Authorizing Quincy College to adopt a six-year tenure system
HB 4695
Act sets the teacher career path at Quincy College. Teachers with 0-3 years of experience are non-tenured, after three years teachers achie...

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Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure


Signed into law 08/2002

P-12
Second Language Acquisition Coursework Required for Teacher Certification
H.B. 5010
Requires candidates for provisional or standard teacher certification or recertification to have completed state board-required courses in s...

More...

Teaching Quality--Professional Development


Signed into law 08/2002

P-12
Teachers Must Receive Development in Second Language Acquisition
H.B. 5010
Districts are required to provide teachers with development in second language acquisition techniques, and professional development plans ar...

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No Child Left Behind


Active 06/2002

P-12
2002 Consolidated Plan
N/A
2002 Consolidated Plan (dated 6/12/02): http://www.doe.mass.edu/nclb/news/csapp.pdf...

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Finance--State Budgets/Expenditures


Signed into law 05/2002

P-12
Local Government Workforce Reduction
H.B. 5007
Provides for local government workforce reduction through an early retirement incentive program for qualified employees, including school em...

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Governance--School Boards


Signed into law 01/2002

P-12
Compensation of School Board Members
H.B. 3071
Relates to the finances of regional school committees. Modifies language regarding the compensation of school board members. Regional scho...

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Technology--Funding Issues


Signed into law 12/2001

P-12
Funding for technology training/infrastructure and a music education initiative
H.B. 4797A
Creates the Capital Needs Investment Trust Fund, which sets aside money for education technology; provides for statewide systems and competi...

More...

Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure


Signed into law 09/2000

P-12
Provisional Education With Advanced Standing
S.B. 207
Chapter No. 264 of 2000., Relates to teacher certification; defines "provisional educator with advanced standing"; states that a provisional...

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Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure


Signed into law 09/2000

P-12
Out-of-State Certification
S.B. 2136
Chapter No. 284 of 2000., Relates to the temporary certification of teachers with out of state certification for 1 year contingent upon thei...

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Choice of Schools--Charter Schools


Signed into law 08/2000

P-12
State Power to Grant Charter Schools; Transportation for Charter Schools
S.B. 2027
Chapter No. 227 of 2000., Relates to charter schools; provides that the Board of Education shall make the final determination on granting ch...

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Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay


Veto overridden: legislature has overridden governor's veto 06/2000

P-12
Early Retirement
H.B. 5116
Improves teacher recruitment, retention and retirement. Creates an early retirement system, which the Governor has opposed....

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