Education (School Choice)

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 191: An Act ensuring charter school integrity

SD 191, titled "An Act ensuring charter school integrity," directly affects charter schools and the governing board by adding new requirements to their oversight. The bill mandates that charter schools provide written confirmation within 30 days of approval that they meet all legal requirements, bans schools from offering money or gifts to attract students, and clarifies that charters can be revoked for failing to meet conditions, violating their charter, or if the board breaches regulations. It also establishes a strict process for waivers of regulations, requiring written requests, a detailed explanation, and a 2/3 board vote for exceptions. These changes aim to increase transparency and accountability in charter school operations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates oversight to protect charter school integrity (e.g., banning incentives, requiring compliance), aligning with 'protect' in support indicators for education policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 827: An Act relative to charter school fiscal impact and accountability

HD 827 modifies charter school funding rules for school districts that move out of the lowest 10% for per-pupil spending. It sets a 9% spending cap for these districts unless they previously exceeded 9%, in which case the cap remains at their prior spending level. The bill also prohibits new charter seats from districts that left the lowest 10% with spending above 9%, requires the state to calculate and cover tuition owed for affected students, and adds new requirements for charter approvals and renewals based on enrollment and financial impact. These changes primarily affect school districts sending students to charter schools and the state education department managing charter school oversight.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates state coverage of charter tuition costs, increasing state budget outlays for education funding rather than restricting spending.85% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill imposes spending cap on districts and restricts new charter seats, limiting school funding flexibility and expansion opportunities.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending School Choice School Funding

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3660: An Act relative to charter school expansion

This bill (HD 3660) adds a new rule to Massachusetts law regarding charter school expansions. If the state education department rejects a charter school's request to expand into additional school districts, the school must wait three years before reapplying for that specific type of expansion. The rule directly affects charter schools whose expansion proposals are denied by the department. This provision creates a mandatory waiting period, changing the process for schools seeking to grow their geographic reach within the state's charter school system.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts charter school expansion by mandating a 3-year wait after rejection, limiting growth opportunities for charter schools in K-12 education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

Track

in committee · Massachusetts · House Sep 8, 2025

HD 4845: An Act reforming charter school funding in Massachusetts

This bill sets a 9% cap on the total amount a Massachusetts public school district can pay in charter school tuition relative to its net school spending. It allows districts exceeding this cap to maintain current funding for existing students but prohibits new charter seats until compliance is achieved. The bill also adds transparency requirements, mandating public notice and comment periods for charter school renewals and expansions, along with criteria for evaluating financial and enrollment impacts. These changes apply directly to school districts sending students to charter schools and the charter schools themselves, revising the state’s funding formula and oversight processes.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill imposes 9% cap on charter school tuition spending, restricting district expenditures and limiting government spending on charter schools.90% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts new charter school seats to limit district funding outflow, opposing expansion of charter access within education funding framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Funding

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 31, 2025

H 540: An Act relative to charter school caps

By Representative Day of Stoneham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 540) of Michael S. Day, Lindsay N. Sabadosa and James B. Eldridge relative to charter school caps. Education.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill proposes caps on charter school expansion, restricting their growth and access within K-12 education policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 30, 2025

H 577: An Act honoring the Commonwealth’s commitment to public school districts

By Representative Fluker-Reid of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 577) of Brandy Fluker-Reid and others relative to charter school tuition reimbursement. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides tuition reimbursement for charter schools, increasing funding access within public education system90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 11, 2025

H 634: An Act to charter school renewals

By Representatives Lipper-Garabedian of Melrose and Ultrino of Malden, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 634) of Kate Lipper-Garabedian, Steven Ultrino and others relative to charter school renewals. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill facilitates renewal of existing charter schools, supporting continued K-12 educational options within the system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 17, 2025

S 2614: An Act reforming charter school funding in Massachusetts

By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2614) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to reform charter school funding in Massachusetts. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill reforming charter school funding directly addresses education funding policy, indicating support for educational resource allocation within K-12 systems.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Funding

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 17, 2025

S 452: An Act ensuring charter school integrity

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 452) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to ensure the integrity of charter schools. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill ensures charter school integrity, protecting a key K-12 education option by maintaining standards and preventing systemic issues that could undermine educational access or quality.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1825: An Act to ensure charter school transparency and public accountability

This bill requires charter schools to publicly post key documents online, including their founding agreements, board member details, meeting minutes, budgets, and management contracts. It mandates that at least half of each charter school's governing board must be elected parents (and high school students), with all board members disclosing financial ties and conflicts of interest. The bill also requires charter schools to report detailed student data - like discipline actions and enrollment changes - disaggregated by race, disability status, and other factors, and creates an ombudsman to handle enrollment disputes. These transparency and accountability measures apply directly to all charter schools operating in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires charter school transparency, elected parent boards, and financial disclosures, strengthening accountability in K-12 education oversight.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

Track