HD 2100 establishes a Food Literacy Trust Fund to support school-based food literacy programs. The fund, financed by state appropriations, grants, and interest, allows the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to provide resources and curricula on topics like nutrition, food systems, environmental connections, food justice, and culinary skills. Schools must incorporate these standards into existing subjects (e.g., science, math) and may use the fund for professional development. The bill requires annual reporting on fund use and program implementation to state education committees.
HD 2046 creates the "Promise Commission" to study Massachusetts public education, directly affecting the state's K-12 and higher education systems. The 11-member commission - including education leaders, union representatives, and community partners - will examine topics like educator recruitment, curriculum modernization, assessment alternatives to MCAS, and K-12 pathways. It must develop a comprehensive report by March 2026 outlining a vision for aligning education with 21st-century student needs. The bill mandates the commission to analyze best practices from other states and countries to inform its recommendations.
HD 1761 requires school principals and administrators to first explore alternative strategies - such as mediation, restorative justice, or conflict resolution - before suspending or expelling a student for specific incidents. The bill mandates documenting the use and results of these alternatives, except when a student's presence poses an immediate, documented risk of serious harm or major disruption to learning. School leaders must also implement district-wide re-engagement models like trauma-sensitive learning, though these cannot replace addressing specific incidents. This directly affects school discipline decisions for K-12 students and their educators, shifting focus from exclusion to supportive interventions. The law applies to all public schools in the state and amends Chapter 71, Section 37 H of the education code.
This bill requires all public school districts, charter schools, and approved private schools to integrate opioid use disorder education into existing health curricula. It mandates teaching specific topics, including opioid types, overdose identification, naloxone use and access, reducing stigma around naloxone, and medical amnesty protections for laypeople who assist during overdoses. The education standards must be incorporated into current health classes without creating new standalone courses. The bill does not impose new funding requirements but allows the department to seek external funding for implementation.
MassCore (HD 1731) establishes a required high school curriculum program for all Massachusetts students entering 9th grade in 2027-2028. It mandates specific course units: 4 English, 4 math, 3 science, 3 history, 2 world language, 1 arts, and 5 electives, aligned with state standards. The bill includes provisions for waivers for multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and newly enrolled students, and requires school districts to report readiness and financial impacts by 2025. Implementation will be guided by an advisory council representing diverse stakeholders, with funding requests for districts facing financial hardship.
This bill requires all public schools to create and implement two specific policies. First, schools must establish a device policy prohibiting student access to personal electronic devices (like phones or tablets) during the school day, except for special education plans, emergencies, or administrator approval. Second, schools must develop a social media education policy teaching students about the risks of social media use, including emotional and physical impacts. Schools must notify parents about both policies and file them with the state education department, which will provide public guidance to help schools create effective policies. The bill directly affects public school students, parents, and school districts across the state.
HD 1931 requires Massachusetts school districts to notify parents about changes to their child's mental, emotional, or physical health services and to encourage parental involvement in decisions affecting student well-being. It prohibits schools from discouraging parental notification or creating barriers to parents accessing education/health records, while banning instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. Schools must obtain parental permission for health screenings in early grades and provide clear procedures for resolving parental concerns within 7 days, with appeals to the Commissioner of Education or courts if unresolved. The bill directly affects parents, students, and school districts by establishing specific notification, consent, and dispute resolution requirements.
This bill removes a restriction that previously limited tuition and fee waivers for adopted foster children to only "state-supported" colleges. It directly affects youth who were in foster care and adopted, expanding their access to higher education cost assistance. The key change modifies existing law by striking "state-supported" and inserting "full" after "provide," meaning waivers can now apply at any eligible institution, not just state-funded ones. This is a concrete policy adjustment to broaden educational opportunities for this specific group.
This bill requires all Massachusetts public high schools to include a one-semester civic education course as a graduation requirement starting with the 2026-2027 school year. It mandates that the curriculum cover U.S. and state government structures, citizen rights/responsibilities (including voting), civic movement history, and community engagement projects. The state education department must develop a standardized, inclusive curriculum and provide resources for schools, while also supporting student voter registration through campus drives and partnerships with local election offices. Schools must report annually on implementation progress and student engagement metrics.
By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 322) of Brendan P. Crighton for legislation to promote racially and culturally inclusive K-12 curriculum. Education.
