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Bill

HD 2960

An Act relative to student access and return on investment of college and career pathways programs

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Chynah Tyler

Massachusetts bill requiring college/career pathway programs to track and report student access, completion, and employment outcomes to measure public investment returns.

Senate concurred
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Bill Summary · HD 2960

Legislative bill overview

HD 2960 requires Massachusetts to establish accountability measures and performance metrics for college and career pathway programs, focusing on student access, completion rates, and employment outcomes. The bill aims to ensure these programs deliver measurable return on investment for students by tracking their post-program success in employment and further education.

Why is this important

College and career pathway programs represent significant public investment, but without standardized tracking, it's unclear whether students actually benefit from these programs through better job placement or earnings. This bill addresses a gap in accountability that could help policymakers identify which programs work well and which need improvement, ultimately affecting how education resources are allocated.

Potential points of contention

  • Data collection burden: Schools and programs may face increased administrative costs to track and report student outcomes after graduation, potentially straining already tight budgets
  • Defining "success": Disagreement over what metrics constitute legitimate return on investment—some may argue employment wages should be measured, while others worry this disadvantages low-wage career paths that serve important societal needs
  • Privacy concerns: Tracking student employment outcomes requires collecting and linking personal data, raising questions about student privacy and data security

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

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