Education

in committee · Massachusetts · House Aug 7, 2025

H 4366: An Act to expand the use of career and academic plans

This bill requires all public high school districts to ensure students create personalized academic and career plans ("MyCAP") starting in 9th grade, with teacher support and an approved online platform. These plans must outline coursework, experiences, and pathways to post-secondary education or careers, and allow students to update them throughout high school. Districts must annually report progress to the education department, which will provide compliance guidance aligned with the MyCAP system. The requirement takes effect September 1, 2028, directly affecting high school students and school districts in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates personalized academic/career plans for all high school students, enhancing student planning and post-secondary readiness through structured guidance and district reporting.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Teachers

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passed · Massachusetts · House Aug 7, 2025

H 533: An Act to expand the use of career and academic plans

By Representatives Cruz of Salem and Reyes of Lawrence, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 533) of Manny Cruz for legislation to expand the use of career and academic plans. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly expands career/academic planning tools, enhancing student program access and educational planning in schools per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education

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passed · Massachusetts · House Aug 18, 2025

H 678: An Act to fix the chapter 70 inflation adjustment

By Representative Ramos of Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 678) of Orlando Ramos and others relative to inflation adjustments for education aid. Education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdjusts inflation adjustment for education aid, maintaining funding levels to prevent erosion, aligning with fiscal responsibility in budget management.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill adjusts education aid for inflation, ensuring funding maintains real value against rising costs, directly supporting school budgets and stability.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Aug 28, 2025

H 1425: An Act to advance fairness, integrity, and excellence in higher education admissions

By Representative Cataldo of Concord, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1425) of Simon Cataldo, Francisco E. Paulino and Mindy Domb relative to higher education admissions. Higher Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly aims to 'advance fairness, integrity, and excellence in higher education admissions,' directly strengthening admissions systems within higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

in committee · Massachusetts · House Aug 28, 2025

H 4409: An Act to facilitate student financial assistance

This bill requires Massachusetts public high schools to ensure all students submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) before graduation, with clear exemptions for students or parents who decline. Schools must provide support for FAFSA completion and use accessible, multilingual forms for opt-outs - no citizenship questions required. It creates a dedicated FAFSA Trust Fund (effective 2026) to support schools in implementation, including training and workshops for underserved communities, funded by state appropriations and private donations. The law mandates annual reporting on FAFSA submission rates and exemptions, broken down by demographics, with the school requirement taking effect in 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates a dedicated FAFSA Trust Fund (2026) for state budget allocation to fund school implementation support, aligning with 'funds essential programs' under Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates FAFSA completion to boost college access, creates FAFSA Trust Fund for school support, advancing educational funding and access for students.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRemoves citizenship questions from school forms for FAFSA opt-outs, facilitating immigrant student access to federal financial aid without immigration status disclosure, aligning with immigrant service support.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Citizenship & Naturalization

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passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 18, 2025

H 4011: An Act eliminating predatory transportation pricing of school districts

By Representatives Badger of Plymouth and LaNatra of Kingston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4011) of Michelle L. Badger and James C. Arena-DeRosa for legislation to establish a school transportation commission. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes school transportation commission to eliminate predatory pricing, reducing financial burden on districts and supporting operational efficiency in education85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill targets predatory pricing in school transportation, protecting districts from unfair costs and strengthening this transportation service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 23, 2026

H 637: An Act to create and expand student pathways to success

By Representative Lipper-Garabedian of Melrose, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 637) of Kate Lipper-Garabedian for legislation to establish a workforce skills cabinet to serve as a cross-agency governance structure to improve and expand workforce skills and college and career readiness. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes workforce skills cabinet to improve college/career readiness, expanding educational pathways and workforce preparation under Education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 18, 2025

H 686: An Act incentivizing the awarding of industry-recognized credentials

By Representative Roy of Franklin, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 686) of Jeffrey N. Roy relative to industry-recognized certification awards paid by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill incentivizes industry-recognized credentials via DESE funding, enhancing career-focused student programs in K-12 education without restrictions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House May 2, 2025

H 526: An Act modernizing school construction

By Representative Cahill of Lynn, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 526) of Daniel Cahill and Sean Reid relative to school construction. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill modernizes school construction infrastructure, directly advancing educational facility quality per support indicators like improved school infrastructure.92% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 15, 2025

H 705: An Act to promote healthy culture and climate within schools

By Representative Smola of Warren, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 705) of Todd M. Smola that school administrators consider alternatives to suspension or expulsion of certain students. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill promotes alternatives to suspensions/expulsions to improve school climate, aligning with educational policy goals of student well-being and safe learning environments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

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