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Bill

S 377

An Act relative to the board of elementary and secondary education

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Michelle Badger and 3 co-sponsors

S 377 restructures Massachusetts's Board of Elementary and Secondary Education governance, affecting K-12 oversight and policy-setting for one million students statewide.

Hearing scheduled for 11/12/2025 from 11:00 AM-05:00 PM in Gardner Auditorium
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Bill Summary · S 377

Legislative bill overview

S 377 modifies the composition and governance structure of Massachusetts's Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). The bill adjusts how board members are selected and their responsibilities in overseeing the state's K-12 education system. Specific structural changes will be detailed once the full bill text is available for analysis.

Why is this important

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education sets statewide education policy, approves curricula standards, and oversees the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Changes to its structure directly affect how education decisions are made for roughly 1 million Massachusetts students and influence education funding and accountability measures statewide.

Potential points of contention

  • Board composition debates: Disagreement over whether board members should be appointed, elected, or selected through mixed methods, and whether representation should prioritize geographic distribution, stakeholder groups, or expertise
  • Accountability and local control: Tension between centralized state oversight versus local district autonomy in educational decision-making
  • Implementation timeline: Questions about whether structural changes require transition periods or can be implemented immediately, affecting current board members

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

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