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Bill

S 380

An Act requiring accountability for inequities in suspension and expulsion or RAISE Act

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jamie Eldridge and 1 co-sponsor

Massachusetts schools must report suspension/expulsion data by student demographics and implement plans to reduce disparities in discipline practices.

Accompanied a new draft, see S2955
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Bill Summary · S 380

Legislative bill overview

S. 380, the RAISE Act, requires Massachusetts schools to collect and publicly report data on student suspensions and expulsions, with specific attention to disparities across student demographics including race, ethnicity, disability status, and English learner status. The bill mandates that schools implement accountability measures when significant inequities are identified, including developing action plans to reduce disparate discipline practices.

Why is this important

Research consistently shows that students of color, students with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ students face disproportionate discipline in schools, which correlates with increased dropout rates and lower academic outcomes. This bill creates transparency and institutional accountability mechanisms designed to identify and remediate systemic disparities in how discipline is administered across student populations.

Potential points of contention

  • Defining and measuring inequities: Schools and policymakers may disagree on what constitutes a significant disparity requiring action, potentially creating disputes over thresholds and statistical methodologies
  • Implementation burden and costs: Districts argue they lack resources to implement comprehensive data collection systems, analysis, and remediation plans, particularly in under-resourced communities
  • Balancing safety and equity: Some stakeholders contend that strict accountability for suspension reductions could compromise school safety or discipline, while others argue discipline disparities reflect bias rather than behavioral differences
  • Privacy concerns: Collecting and publishing disaggregated discipline data raises questions about student privacy and potential misuse of information

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

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