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HD 6033

A communication from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (see Section 92(p) of Chapter 71 of the General Laws) submitting a report on the Implementation and Fiscal Impact of Innovation Schools

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

The bill submits a 2025 report detailing how Massachusetts Innovation Schools operate, their authorization/renewal processes, current roster, and fiscal context without dedicated s

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Bill Summary · HD 6033

Overview

  • Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
  • Session: 194th
  • Bill: HD 6033
  • Title: A communication from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (see Section 92(p) of Chapter 71 of the General Laws) submitting a report on the Implementation and Fiscal Impact of Innovation Schools
  • Purpose: To submit to the Legislature a 2025 report on the Implementation and Fiscal Impact of Innovation Schools, as required by Chapter 12 of the Acts of 2010, Section 8 (and Chapter 71, §92(p)). The report describes the innovation school model, authorization/reauthorization processes, and provides a current list of innovation schools and academies operating in the 2025-2026 school year.

Main purpose and intent

  • To inform the Legislature about:
    • How innovation schools operate within the Commonwealth
    • The status and trajectory of the innovation school program
    • The fiscal impact and funding context (noting that state grant funding for innovation schools was removed in FY2020)
  • To fulfill statutory reporting requirements and provide an updated roster of innovation schools as of the 2025-2026 school year.

Key provisions and changes described in the report

  • Overview of the innovation school model

    • Innovation schools operate with increased autonomy and flexibility in six areas: curriculum, budget, school schedule/calendar, staffing (including potential waivers from collective bargaining), professional development, and district policies.
    • They can be established by a broad set of educational partners and entities (teachers, administrators, unions, parents, non-profits, higher education, etc.).
    • Schools must implement an innovation plan detailing autonomies, instructional/assessment strategies, resource allocation, staffing decisions, professional development, waivers from district policies if applicable, and annual measurable goals (AMGs) for student achievement and school performance.
    • Innovation schools receive the same per-pupil funding as other district schools and may pursue grants or supplemental funding for implementation.

  • Authorization and reauthorization processes

    • Local authorization process with multi-step review: 1) Applicant submits an initial prospectus to the district superintendent; a screening committee (including a union representative) must approve by a two-thirds vote to proceed. 2) An innovation plan committee develops the plan (up to 11 representatives from school, district, and community. 3) Approval steps:
      • Conversion school: two-thirds educator vote.
      • New school: negotiations if plan includes waivers/modifications to the collective bargaining agreement. 4) Innovation plan submitted to the school committee; at least one public hearing; majority vote required for approval. 5) Authorization lasts up to five years; yearly evaluation against AMGs; revisions allowed; changes to collective bargaining require two-thirds teacher approval.
    • Reauthorization (renewal) process: 1) School leadership and stakeholders review and discuss plan revisions. 2) Updated plan is prepared; any new waivers require two-thirds teacher approval. 3) School committee must approve extension for up to five additional years. If not approved, leadership may revise and resubmit. 4) If the school committee does not extend authorization, the district may seek approval from BESE (Board of Elementary and Secondary Education), which must vote within 60 days.

  • Current landscape and status (as of 2024-2025)

    • There are 21 innovation schools and academies across 10 districts.
    • The report notes a decline in the number of innovation schools since the program began, with three closing or losing status at the end of FY2025.
    • The report provides a list of operating innovation schools, including school names, district, grade levels, and whether they are new or conversion models, plus thematic areas (e.g., arts, STEM, dual language, wraparound services).

Who is affected

  • Affected entities:
    • Innovation schools and academies (existing and prospective)
    • District superintendents, school committees, and local teachers’ unions (due to the authorization/approval processes and potential collective bargaining waivers)
    • The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), which administers the program, provides technical assistance, and publishes annual reports
  • Affected areas of autonomy (for innovation schools):
    • Curriculum and instruction
    • Budget and resource allocation
    • School calendar and schedule
    • Staffing and compensation (including potential collective bargaining waivers)
    • Professional development
    • District policies

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Annual reporting requirement affirmed by statute: DESE must report to the Legislature on implementation and fiscal impact.
  • Authorization timeline:
    • Authorization for up to five years per innovation status, with possible renewal.
    • Reauthorization requires stakeholder input, potential waivers with two-thirds teacher approval, and school committee majority approval.
  • Potential BESE involvement:
    • If local approval for extension fails, BESE may authorize an extension within 60 days of receipt.

Fiscal note and funding context

  • The report acknowledges that state grant funding for innovation schools was removed in FY 2020.
  • Consequently, no direct state funds are allocated specifically for innovation schools; districts may pursue other funding sources or internal allocations to support autonomy-enabled initiatives.

Appendix

  • Appendix A lists the innovation schools and academies operating in 2024-2025, including school names, districts, grade spans, type (new vs. conversion), and notable themes.

Note: The document is a formal 2025 DESE report submitted to the Legislature detailing the status, processes, and impact of Innovation Schools under the 2010 legislation. It emphasizes autonomy vs. funding shifts and the evolving roster of schools participating in the model.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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