Bill
S 418
S.418 directs BESE to require all teacher prep programs and ongoing PD to teach AAC and assistive tech, improving access for nonverbal students.
Status & origins
- Bill number: S 418 (Senate docket no. 361) — introduced in the Massachusetts Senate on 2025-02-05.
- Filed/presented by: Senator Patrick M. O’Connor (with multiple co-petitioners listed).
- Committee referrals / actions: Referred to the Committee on Education (and listed as REFERRED TO CODES in some records); hearings noted for 10/14/2025 and 12/02/2025; House concurred (per docket entries).
- Note on source material: the provided packet contains several inconsistent/erroneous headings (an unrelated federal-sounding title and mixed sponsor lists). The operative text of S.418 is a Massachusetts education bill concerning augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
Purpose / intent
- To increase access to and improve the availability of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and other assistive technologies for children with disabilities by ensuring teacher preparation programs and professional development address AAC appropriately.
Key provisions
- Regulatory directive to BESE: The bill directs the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to repromulgate 603 CMR 7.03(3) as necessary to establish a requirement that all approved teacher preparation programs include instruction on:
- the appropriate use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and
- other assistive technologies.
- Professional development: The bill authorizes the board to require that individual professional development plans (PDPs) — those required by section 38G of chapter 71 — address the learning needs of students who are nonverbal or have limited speech and who require AAC.
- Superseding authority: The measure is written “notwithstanding any general or special law, rule, or regulation to the contrary,” giving BESE authority to change 603 CMR 7.03(3) for this purpose.
Who would be affected
- Students: Children with disabilities who are nonverbal or have limited speech and need AAC or other assistive technologies.
- Educator preparation programs: All state-approved teacher preparation programs would need to incorporate AAC/assistive tech instruction into their curricula.
- Current teachers and school leaders: PDPs could be required to include AAC-related learning goals; professional development providers and districts would need to adapt offerings.
- Local school districts and special education providers: Potentially increased responsibilities to implement AAC practices and coordinate devices/strategies identified through training.
- BESE (state education agency): Implementation, rulemaking, and oversight responsibility.
Implementation, timeline, and administrative effects
- BESE must repromulgate 603 CMR 7.03(3) as needed to implement the instructional requirement; timing depends on BESE rulemaking after enactment.
- Schools, teacher programs, and districts would need to align curricula, certification/approval standards, and PDP processes to the revised regulation.
- Costs and resource needs (not specified in the text): likely include faculty training in teacher preparation programs, PD offerings for in-service staff, and potential expenditures for AAC devices and supports — budgetary impacts would depend on BESE implementation choices and district actions.
Potential impacts (practical)
- Positive: Greater teacher familiarity with AAC; earlier identification and better classroom supports for nonverbal students; more consistent use of assistive technologies across districts.
- Considerations: Effective impact depends on specificity and enforcement in BESE’s repromulgated regulation, availability of training resources, and funding for devices and ongoing supports.
Related / contextual notes
- The bill text references 603 CMR 7.03(3) and section 38G of chapter 71 (Massachusetts laws governing professional development plans).
- Records include hearings scheduled later in 2025; watchers should consult the Committee on Education docket and BESE rulemaking notices for implementation details once the bill or a final regulation is adopted.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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