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S 374

Deptment of Juvenile Justice

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Greg Hembree and 1 co-sponsor

The bill shifts how schools are identified for comprehensive support, requiring stakeholder-driven improvement plans with targeted funding for evidence-based interventions.

Committee report: Favorable Corrections and Penology
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Bill Summary · S 374

Summary — S.374 (2025): "An Act empowering students and schools to thrive"

Note on metadata: the supplied materials contain conflicting metadata (an initial title about lobbying and mixed sponsor lists). The bill text itself amends Chapter 69 of the Massachusetts General Laws and is an education bill filed by Senator Adam Gómez titled "An Act empowering students and schools to thrive." This summary reflects the bill text as provided.

Main purpose

To revise how Massachusetts identifies and responds to schools in need of comprehensive support and improvement by (1) changing designation criteria, (2) requiring local stakeholder-driven improvement planning, and (3) prioritizing additional state funding for approved improvement plans.

Key provisions and changes

  • Replaces sections 1J and 1K of Chapter 69 with a new Section 1J.
  • Identification formula:
    • Commissioner must identify schools for comprehensive support and improvement using a department formula compliant with federal law.
    • Student growth must be weighted at least as heavily as student achievement.
    • No more than 5% of all statewide schools may be designated as comprehensive support and improvement at any time.
  • Local stakeholder group (timing and composition):
    • Within 30 days of designation the superintendent convenes a stakeholder group (max 11 members) to develop a support plan.
    • Membership must strive to reflect the school’s racial/ethnic and language diversity and includes specified roles: superintendent/designee, school committee rep, teachers’ union president (or designee), school administrator, two educators chosen by peers, a parent, a student (for high schools) or equivalent grade-level representative, a mental-health/social services expert, a community organization representative, and an expert in one or more evidence‑based interventions.
  • Support and improvement plan (timeline and content):
    • Group submits a final draft to the school committee within 45 days of its first meeting.
    • Required analysis: root causes, resource adequacy and equity (including building condition), and strengths/assets.
    • Plan must include vision, goals, objectives, and evidence-based programs/interventions. Examples listed include reduced class sizes, small-group tutoring, expanded planning time, community school/wraparound services, strategic staffing (e.g., co-teaching), strengthened professional development (mentoring, trauma‑informed and anti‑racist training), culturally responsive curricula, expanded early education, workforce diversification, and college/career pathways.
  • Decision, public process, and approval:
    • Group should seek consensus; majority may submit a plan if consensus fails; dissenting members may submit alternatives.
    • School committee must hold at least one public hearing with 30 days’ notice, may modify the plan consistent with law, and must vote within 30 days of the hearing.
    • The commissioner approves the final plan after confirming required procedures were followed.
  • Funding:
    • The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will prioritize additional funding (beyond Chapter 70) to support the evidence-based programs in the approved plans.
  • Compliance:
    • Plans and processes must be consistent with federal and state law.

Who is affected

  • Designated schools (students, educators, administrators)
  • District superintendents and school committees
  • Local teachers’ unions, parents, students, community organizations
  • DESE (commissioner) and state funding processes

Timeline and procedural notes

  • Superintendent must act within 30 days of designation; stakeholder group submits a draft within 45 days of first meeting; public hearing requires 30 days’ notice; school committee votes within 30 days of hearing.
  • The bill replaces existing statutory language in Chapter 69, §1J/1K and establishes new procedural and funding priorities.
  • No specific appropriations or dollar amounts are specified in the provided text (funding is prioritized but not quantified).

If you want, I can produce a one‑page plain-language brief for parents or a checklist for districts implementing the stakeholder-process requirements.

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

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