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Bill

S 8528

Establishes a pilot learner engagement and attendance program in certain school districts of the state

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Pat Fahy

Creates a pilot program in select districts to boost student engagement and attendance, guiding schools, families, and districts with targeted supports and evaluation.

REFERRED TO RULES
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Bill Summary · S 8528

Summary of S 8528 — "Establishes a pilot learner engagement and attendance program in certain school districts of the state"

  • Bill number: S 8528
  • Title / purpose (as stated): Establishes a pilot learner engagement and attendance program in certain school districts of the state
  • Status: Referred to Rules
  • Introduced: October 15, 2025
  • Classification: bill
  • Sponsor (primary): Patricia Fahy
  • Related companion: A 9173 (companion)

What the bill would do (as far as is publicly indicated)

  • The bill seeks to create a pilot program focused on learner engagement and attendance in certain school districts within the state.
  • The available information identifies the core objective as improving student engagement and attendance, though specific mechanisms, metrics, and implementation details are not provided in the data available here.

Key provisions and potential elements to watch for

Note: The exact statutory text with provisions is not included in the information provided. Based on the title, typical elements that such a pilot might include (and which you would expect to appear in the bill text) include:
- Scope and eligibility: Which districts are included, and what criteria determine eligibility? Selection process for districts or schools to participate in the pilot.
- Program components: Possible supports to boost engagement and attendance (e.g., student supports, attendance outreach, family engagement initiatives, mentoring, behavioral and social-emotional supports, targeted interventions for chronically absent students).
- Funding and resources: Amounts, source of funds, and allowable expenditures to implement the pilot.
- Performance metrics and evaluation: How attendance and engagement would be measured (e.g., attendance rates, engagement indicators, student outcomes) and how results would be evaluated (duration, reporting cadence, independent evaluation, dashboards).
- Governance and oversight: Which state or local agencies administer the pilot (likely the state department of education) and any required reporting to the legislature or rules committees.
- Timeline and sunset: Duration of the pilot, milestones, and potential extension or scaling provisions.
- Privacy and equity considerations: Protections for student privacy and strategies to ensure equitable access and outcomes across participating districts.

Who would be affected

  • Students in participating districts would be the primary beneficiaries and subjects of the engagement and attendance initiatives.
  • Families and caregivers may be involved through outreach, supports, and communication efforts.
  • School districts and schools within the pilot would implement the program components and reporting requirements.
  • Educators and school staff could be provided with additional tools, supports, or training to improve attendance and engagement.
  • State educational agencies (e.g., the state department of education) would administer the pilot, collect data, and oversee reporting.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill has been introduced and referred to Rules as of October 15, 2025. No further action is documented in the provided information.
  • A companion bill exists: A 9173, indicating parallel consideration in the Assembly.
  • Without the full text, specific dates for implementation, reporting deadlines, or sunset provisions cannot be confirmed.

Potential impact and considerations

  • If enacted, the pilot could inform broader strategies to reduce absenteeism and boost student engagement across the state.
  • Fiscal implications depend on appropriations and implementation scale; districts may need resources for outreach, supports, data systems, and staff training.
  • Privacy, equity, and effectiveness will be important considerations in evaluation and reporting.

Next steps for readers

  • Review the full legislative text of S 8528 and the companion A 9173 for precise provisions, definitions, and timelines.
  • Monitor legislative actions for amendments, the selection criteria for participating districts, funding details, and the evaluation framework.
  • Consider stakeholder perspectives (students, families, educators) on how a learner engagement and attendance pilot could be designed and assessed.

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

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