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H 546

An Act to ensure equitable access to education, including special education services, for all students in Massachusetts

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Marjorie Decker and 1 co-sponsor

Bill H 546 ensures equitable education access in Massachusetts by requiring annual data reporting on demographics and special education services to address disparities.

Hearing rescheduled to 11/18/2025 from 01:00 PM-03:25 PM in B-1 and Virtual Hearing updated to New End Time
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Bill Summary · H 546

Summary of Bill H 546: An Act to Ensure Equitable Access to Education in Massachusetts

Purpose and Intent

Bill H 546 aims to enhance equitable access to education for all students in Massachusetts, with a particular focus on special education services. The legislation seeks to address educational inequities through improved data collection and reporting, ensuring that the needs of diverse student populations are met effectively.

Key Provisions

The bill proposes several amendments to existing laws, primarily focusing on the following areas:

  1. Data Collection and Reporting:

    • The Massachusetts Department of Education will be required to annually analyze and publish student-specific data that highlights demographics facing significant educational inequities.
    • Data will include categories such as racial and ethnic groups, gender, socioeconomic status, high needs status, English learner status, disability categories, and homelessness.
    • Reports must be easily accessible and presented in a user-friendly manner, including availability on the department's website.

  2. Special Education Services Reporting:

    • School committees and charter schools will need to report on the number of children receiving specific special education services by grade level and disability category.
    • This includes services such as assistive technology, vocational education, and community-based transition services.
    • Reporting will only be required when the Department provides an online web-based IEP application aligned with the reporting requirements.

  3. Annual Reporting Requirements:

    • School committees must report the delivery of special education services disaggregated by major racial and ethnic groups, gender, socioeconomic status, and English learner status.
    • This data will also be anonymized to protect student identities.

  4. Monitoring and Evaluation:

    • The bill mandates monitoring for any statistically significant increases in the assignment of students with disabilities to separate classrooms, particularly in the context of changes following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Affected Parties

  • Students: All students, particularly those in special education and from marginalized backgrounds, will benefit from improved access to educational resources and services.
  • School Committees and Charter Schools: These entities will have new reporting obligations and will need to adapt to the requirements set forth by the Department of Education.
  • Department of Education: The department will take on additional responsibilities for data analysis and public reporting.

Procedural Aspects

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Status: A hearing is scheduled for November 18, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in room B-1.
  • Legislative Actions: The bill has been referred to the Committee on Education and has received concurrence from the Senate.

Conclusion

Bill H 546 represents a significant step towards ensuring that all students in Massachusetts have equitable access to education, particularly in the realm of special education services. By enhancing data transparency and accountability, the bill aims to identify and address educational disparities effectively.

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

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