An Act relative to increasing access for vulnerable students

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by John Cronin

Allows Commonwealth charter schools to voluntarily give enrollment preferences to high-needs students and enroll them anytime, subject to BESE rules.

Referred to the committee on Education

Purpose

To permit Commonwealth charter schools to voluntarily provide enrollment preferences for certain high-needs students and to enroll such students at any point during the school year.

The bill aims to increase access to charter schools for vulnerable student populations while preserving the standard lottery and waitlist admissions processes.

Key Provisions

Section 1 — Enrollment Preferences for High-Needs Students

Amends Section 89(n) of Chapter 71 to insert a provision allowing Commonwealth charter schools, subject to regulations from the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), to offer voluntary enrollment preferences.

Eligible student groups (illustrative, not exhaustive) include:

Students with special needs
English language learners
Students in foster care or previously in foster care
Other at-risk students

Charter schools may enroll these students at any time during the school year.

The preferences apply to both students admitted through the lottery and those admitted off the waitlist under this section.

Section 2 — Regulatory Framework

BESE shall promulgate rules to implement the act.

At a minimum, regulations must:

Define the specific student subgroups eligible for enrollment preferences
Establish the process for implementing the enrollment preferences

The bill expressly notes that homelessness and Students with Emergency Resettlement Status may be included among eligible subgroups.

Who Would Be Affected

Commonwealth charter schools (voluntary adoption of enrollment preferences)

High-needs student subgroups identified by BESE (including but not limited to students with special needs, English learners, foster youth, homeless students, and emergency resettlement status students)

Parents/guardians seeking admissions for vulnerable students

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduced: February 27, 2025

Senate Docket: No. 2611; Filed January 21, 2025

Current Status: Referred to the committee on Education (with concurrent referral to Rules by branches noted in legislative actions)

Regulatory Implementation: Requires BESE rulemaking; exact regulations to be determined through the regulatory process

Related Legislation: Similar matter previously filed in 2023-2024 as House No. 550

Potential Impact and Considerations

Access: Could broaden enrollment opportunities for vulnerable students in Commonwealth charter schools by allowing targeted admissions preferences year-round.

Admissions Process: Preferences would apply to both lottery-based admissions and waitlist admissions, potentially changing the dynamics of how students are selected.

Regulation: Final details depend on BESE rules, including which subgroups qualify and how preferences are operationalized to ensure fair implementation.

Autonomy vs. Oversight: The act makes enrollment preferences voluntary for schools, balanced by mandated BESE regulations to define and govern implementation.

Notes: The bill is a proposed act and reflects a shift toward increasing access for vulnerable students within the charter school sector, pending regulatory guidance from BESE.

Bill