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HD 946

An Act relative to school committee oversight

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Bill Galvin

The bill tightens school committee oversight by requiring transparency of course materials, standards, and syllabi, and allows parental opt-out for an STI course.

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Bill Summary · HD 946

Summary: HB HD 946 — An Act Relative to School Committee Oversight

Overview

HD 946 would amend Chapter 71 of the Massachusetts General Laws by adding a new Section 98 that tightens school committee oversight of curricula and expands transparency requirements for courses of study. The bill authorizes school committees to establish or substitute courses with superintendent approval, requires public disclosure of course materials and standards, and permits the creation of a course on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) with parental notice and opt-out rights.

Note: The bill was introduced for the 2025-2026 General Court session and has a prior related filing in a previous session (House 482 of 2023-2024).

Key Provisions

  • Section 98 — Core Duty of School Committees

    • School committees must ensure that the courses of study prescribed by law and DESE rules are carried out.
    • School committees may establish supplemental courses that do not conflict with prescribed courses and may adopt courses of study in lieu of state courses with the district Superintendent’s approval.

  • Public Disclosure Requirements (for each course of study)

    • Districts must publish on their websites:
    • (i) The title or descriptive information for textbooks and instructional materials used, with a link when available.
    • (ii) A syllabus or written summary of the course.
    • (iii) Identification of the state academic content standards being satisfied by the course, when applicable.

  • Update Responsibility

    • Any changes to the information listed above must be reflected on the district’s website within 30 days of the change.

  • Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Course Provision

    • School committees may establish a course on sexually transmitted infections, covering causes, sources, symptoms, and information on diagnostic and treatment centers.
    • Such a course may be taught to adults in the community served by the schools as well as to students.
    • Parents/guardians of minor students must be notified in advance that the course will be taught.
    • Parents/guardians may submit a written directive to excuse their minor child from any class within the STI course.
    • Parents/guardians may inspect the instructional materials used for the STI course.

Affected Parties

  • Primary: School committees, district school boards, and superintendents who implement curricula.
  • Secondary: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as standards-setter, school students, and parents/guardians.
  • Community element: The STI course provision allows adult community members to participate in or be taught the course.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • If enacted, districts would need to:
    • Align courses with state standards and DESE rules.
    • Publish materials, syllabi, and standards on district websites for each course.
    • Update posted information within 30 days of any change.
    • Provide parental notification and an opt-out mechanism for STI-related courses involving minors.

Contextual Note

  • The bill mirrors a prior related filing (House 482 in 2023-2024) and reflects an ongoing focus on curriculum oversight and transparency in MA public schools.

This summary aims to convey the bill’s substantive changes, affected parties, and the practical implications of its provisions. If you need a clause-by-clause analysis or a comparison to current law, I can provide that as well.

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

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