Education

passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 29, 2025

H 659: An Act relative to equity and inclusion in education

This bill (HD 90) requires Massachusetts public schools to implement computer-adaptive assessments for K-12 students in English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. It mandates that schools use these assessments annually to track each student's mastery of learning standards, identify their current learning level, and adjust instruction accordingly. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education must establish regulations by July 2023 to personalize learning paths and develop formative assessments by July 2025, expanding the state data system to include individual student assessment results. The bill also updates assessment criteria to ensure they measure specific academic standards and adds a prohibition against age-based discrimination in public school access. These changes directly affect all K-12 public school students and educators across Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill title explicitly addresses equity and inclusion in education, a core supportive policy area for advancing educational access and reducing disparities.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 9, 2026

H 738: An Act relative to civic test requirements for graduation

This bill requires all public high schools to administer a civics test identical to the U.S. citizenship civics test before graduation. Students must score at least 60% (60 correct answers out of 100) to graduate or earn a general equivalency diploma, starting in the 2021-2022 school year, with retakes allowed until passing. Special education students are exempt from this requirement. The state education department must establish rules to monitor schools' compliance with this new graduation standard.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates a civics test for high school graduation, enhancing curriculum standards and student civic knowledge as part of educational requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 29, 2025

H 660: An Act concerning equitable state summative assessments of students

HD 91 amends Massachusetts state education law to require annual computer-adaptive assessments for K-12 students in English, Math, Science, and Social Studies, effective July 2021. The bill mandates assessments with flexible scoring (high ceiling/low floor) to identify specific mastered and unmastered learning standards for each student annually. It also requires these assessments to be criterion-referenced and flexible enough to measure which exact academic standards students meet, effective July 2023. The law directly affects all public school students and educators in Massachusetts by changing how student progress is measured and reported.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill focuses on equitable state assessments, aiming to ensure fair evaluation practices that support educational access and quality without explicit restrictions or funding cuts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 343: An Act fulfilling the promise of education reform

By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 343) of Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation to fulfill the promise of education reform. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill title 'fulfilling the promise of education reform' directly indicates advancement of education policies without any restrictive language.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 29, 2025

H 612: An Act relative to an educational unfunded mandate task force

This bill establishes an 11-member task force to review state requirements placed on Massachusetts public schools that lack dedicated funding ("unfunded mandates"). The task force, including education committee leaders, legislative minority representatives, and school association nominees, will identify and assess all state laws, regulations, and reporting demands on school districts. It must develop recommendations to streamline or eliminate unfunded mandates, calculate their total cost to municipalities, and hold at least one public hearing before submitting a final report within 12 months. The task force's work aims to help the state address financial burdens on school districts without direct legislative changes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates task force to investigate unfunded mandates on schools, aiming to alleviate financial burdens and improve resource allocation for education.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 24, 2025

S 428: An Act relative to school library standards

By Mr. Oliveira, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 428) of Jacob R. Oliveira, Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr., Lindsay N. Sabadosa, David Paul Linsky and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to school library standards. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes school library standards, advancing educational resources and quality within K-12 framework per title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 30, 2026

S 374: An Act empowering students and schools to thrive

By Mr. Gómez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 374) of Adam Gómez, Joanne M. Comerford, Patricia D. Jehlen, John F. Keenan and other members of the General Court for legislation to empower students and schools to thrive. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill title and summary explicitly aim to empower students/schools to thrive, indicating clear support for educational advancement without restrictions or funding cuts.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 30, 2026

S 398: An Act to promote student college and career success and civic engagement

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 398) of Jason M. Lewis, Joanne M. Comerford, Rebecca L. Rausch and James B. Eldridge for legislation relative to programs of study for high school students and graduation requirements. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes programs of study and graduation requirements to enhance student college/career readiness and civic engagement, directly advancing educational outcomes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Curriculum

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 3, 2025

S 395: An Act promoting racially and culturally inclusive K-12 curriculum

By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 395) of Vincent Dixon, for legislation to promote racially and culturally inclusive K-12 curriculum. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly promotes racially and culturally inclusive K-12 curriculum, advancing educational content and inclusivity in schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Nov 3, 2025

H 4665: An Act relative to LGBTQ+ inclusive framework

This bill requires Massachusetts public schools to include instruction on the histories, roles, and contributions of LGBTQ+ people in the history of the United States and Massachusetts within existing educational standards. It directly affects public school curricula, particularly in history and social studies classes. The key mechanism adds a specific requirement to current educational standards, mandating that lessons cover LGBTQ+ experiences and impacts. This change aims to make history education more inclusive by formally incorporating these perspectives into required teaching content.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates inclusion of LGBTQ+ histories in school curricula, expanding educational content and promoting inclusive education per bill summary.95% confidence

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