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S 361

Irene Jackson Jones

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Darrell Jackson

DESE must study chronic absenteeism in MA public schools, analyze disparities and causes, consult key partners, and report findings and recommendations to lawmakers within 180 days

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Bill Summary · S 361

Summary — S.361 (Senate No. 361) — "An Act providing for a study of chronic student absences"

Note: The bill text filed with the Senate (Senate Docket No. 2155 / Senate No. 361) is a Massachusetts measure, presented by Sen. Barry R. Finegold, that directs the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to conduct a study of chronic student absenteeism. Some metadata supplied with the request (alternate title referencing NYCHA, and an extended list of sponsors) appears inconsistent with the bill text; this summary is based on the bill language in the docket.

Main purpose

Require the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to study the causes of, disparities in, and remedies for frequent (chronic) student absences in Commonwealth public schools and to report findings and recommendations to the Legislature.

Key provisions

  • Directs DESE to conduct a comprehensive study of frequent student absences in public schools of Massachusetts.
  • Required analyses (at minimum):
    • Disparities, if any, in absenteeism rates by region, socioeconomic status, and student age.
    • Differences in absenteeism for students enrolled in career pathway programs versus general education programs.
    • Common causes of absences among students who miss not less than 7 school days in an academic year.
    • Causes of absences that may be specific to the Commonwealth or to particular regions.
  • Mandates consultation with specified stakeholders, including:
    • Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA)
    • Department of Children and Families (DCF)
    • Massachusetts Teachers Association
    • Massachusetts Federation of Teachers
    • Massachusetts Charter Public School Association
    • Public school districts in gateway cities
    • Public school districts with above‑average student populations missing at least 10% of school days (per most recent end‑of‑year attendance report)
  • Reporting deadline: DESE must submit findings and any recommendations to the clerks of the House and Senate and the Joint Committee on Education no later than 180 days after enactment. The Secretary of Education may grant one extension of up to 90 days.
  • Effective date: Section 1 takes effect upon enactment.

Who is affected

  • DESE (responsible for completing the study and report)
  • State agencies (DTA, DCF) and education stakeholder organizations (teacher unions, charter association)
  • Public school districts, especially those in gateway cities and districts with high absentee rates
  • Students (particularly those missing ≥7 days/year and districts where ≥10% of school days are missed)
  • State policymakers who may use the study to inform legislation, funding, or program changes

Timeline & procedural status (as recorded)

  • Filed: 1/17/2025 (Senate Docket No. 2155 / Senate No. 361)
  • Introduced in Senate / Read twice and referred to Committee on the Judiciary: 2/03/2025
  • Referred to Committee on Education: 2/27/2025
  • Reported and committed to Finance: 3/10/2025
  • Hearing scheduled: 07/08/2025 (per calendar entry)
  • Reported favorably by committee and referred to Senate Ways & Means: 09/22/2025
  • Current status (per header): REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE

(These procedural entries reflect the provided legislative-action log.)

Potential impact and limitations

  • Impact: The study could identify drivers of chronic absenteeism, highlight geographic and demographic disparities, and produce targeted recommendations that inform policy, resource allocation, student support services, truancy prevention, and cross‑agency interventions.
  • Limitations: The bill mandates a study and report only — it does not appropriate funds, create new programs, or require implementation of recommendations. The quality and utility of the outcome will depend on DESE’s data access, stakeholder cooperation, and any resources allocated to complete the analysis within the deadline.

Related measures

  • Related/previous session bills listed in the record: SD 2155 (replaces), S.9086, S.1603, S.546 (prior-session), and companion A.5083.

If you want, I can: (a) extract the bill text into a side‑by‑side checklist of required DESE actions; (b) prepare questions stakeholders might raise at hearings; or (c) draft potential statutory/appropriation language to follow up on typical study recommendations.

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

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