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S 317

Charitable Act

119th Congress Introduced by Marsha Blackburn and 21 co-sponsors

Bill S 317 enhances equitable education access in Massachusetts by improving data collection on special education services for marginalized students and monitoring disparities.

Introduced in Senate
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 317

Summary of Bill S 317: An Act to Ensure Equitable Access to Education in Massachusetts

Bill Number: S 317
Introduced On: February 27, 2025
Status: Hearing scheduled for November 18, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in B-1
Presented By: Cynthia Stone Creem (Norfolk and Middlesex)

Purpose and Intent

Bill S 317 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, particularly Chapter 69 and Chapter 71B of the General Laws, which govern education in Massachusetts. Key provisions include:

  1. Annual Data Analysis and Reporting:

    • The Massachusetts Department of Education will be required to conduct annual analyses of student-specific data to identify and address educational inequities.
    • Data will be disaggregated by various demographics, including race, gender, socioeconomic status, English learner status, disability category, and homelessness.

  2. Special Education Services Reporting:

    • School committees and charter schools must report on the delivery of specific special education services, including assistive technology and vocational education, categorized by major racial and ethnic groups.
    • This reporting will only be mandated when the Department provides an online web-based Individualized Education Program (IEP) application.

  3. Cross-Tabulation Requirements:

    • The bill mandates that reported data be cross-tabulated to reveal disparities in service delivery among different student demographics.
    • This includes tracking the number of children receiving specific special education services by grade level and disability category.

  4. Monitoring for Disparities:

    • The bill includes provisions for monitoring statistically significant increases in the assignment of students with disabilities to separate classrooms, particularly in the context of racial and ethnic groups.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Students: All students in Massachusetts, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, students with disabilities, and English learners, will benefit from improved access to educational resources and services.
  • School Committees and Charter Schools: These entities will be required to collect and report detailed data regarding educational services, impacting their administrative processes.
  • Department of Education: The Department will take on additional responsibilities for data analysis and public reporting, necessitating potential adjustments in staffing and resources.

Procedural Aspects

  • The bill was referred to the Education Committee on the same day it was introduced.
  • A hearing is scheduled for November 18, 2025, allowing stakeholders and the public to provide input on the proposed legislation.

Conclusion

Bill S 317 represents a significant step towards ensuring equitable access to education in Massachusetts, particularly for students requiring special education services. By enhancing data collection and reporting mechanisms, the bill aims to identify and address disparities in educational access and outcomes across diverse student populations.

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

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