An Act requiring accountability for inequities in suspension and expulsion or RAISE Act

This bill (HD 1982, the RAISE Act) requires Massachusetts school districts to establish annual targets and 3-year plans to reduce racial and other disparities in student suspensions, expulsions, and academic achievement gaps. Districts must develop evidence-based strategies - such as restorative justice programs, extended learning time, staff training, and culturally responsive curricula - with input from parents and community stakeholders. They must publicly report annually on progress using defined metrics like suspension rates, days of lost instruction, and student assessment data. The law directly affects all public school districts and students in marginalized subgroups, aiming to hold districts accountable for systemic inequities in discipline and outcomes.