Bill
S 379
Amends Chapter 71, Sec. 89 to replace references to statewide test performance with student growth, prioritizing progress over absolute proficiency in accountability metrics.
Note on sources and inconsistencies
- The uploaded bill text and Senate docket show a Massachusetts bill presented by Senator Patricia D. Jehlen (petition also names Patrick M. O’Connor) titled “An Act relative to student assessment data.” However, the bill metadata you supplied also includes a different short title (“Relates to establishing a high school robotics grant program”) and a sponsor list that appears inconsistent with the Massachusetts docket. This summary relies on the actual bill text and docket entries in the file (the Jehlen/O’Connor filing) and flags where metadata conflicts.
Purpose and intent
- The bill amends a provision in Chapter 71, Section 89 of the Massachusetts General Laws to change statutory language that refers to “overall student performance on the statewide assessment system” so that the statute refers instead to “student growth.” The intent is to shift the statutory reference from absolute or aggregate statewide assessment performance to a focus on student growth.
Key provisions and exact changes
- Amends Section 89 of Chapter 71 by:
- Striking the phrase “overall student performance on the statewide assessment system approved by the board under section 1I of chapter 69” and replacing it with “student growth.”
- Replacing the phrase “based on student performance data collected pursuant to section 1I,” with the single word “that.”
- Replacing “statewide student performance” with “student growth.”
- These are textual substitutions only as provided in the filed amendment; no additional programmatic details or measurement methodology are included in the text excerpt.
Practical effect / likely impact
- Measurement emphasis: The change replaces references to statewide achievement levels with “student growth,” which typically emphasizes individual or cohort progress over time rather than only absolute proficiency on a single assessment.
- Potential downstream effects (depend on implementing regulations and other statute connections): teacher and administrator evaluation metrics, school/district accountability reporting, any uses of Section 89 that tie recognition, interventions, or resource decisions to assessment outcomes.
- Affected parties: students, teachers, school and district administrators, local school committees, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (or other entities implementing Chapter 71 requirements).
Legislative status and timeline (from docket/actions)
- Filed in the Senate: 1/16/2025 (Senate Docket No. 1706). Presented by Senator Patricia D. Jehlen (petition also lists Patrick M. O’Connor).
- Introduced/Read twice and referred: 02/04/2025.
- Referred to Education (multiple docket entries show referral to the Committee on Education and to Finance at various points).
- Print/Amendment: Print No. 379A (04/02/2025) with an amendment and recommit to Finance recorded that day.
- Senate action: Advanced to third reading (06/04/2025); Passed the Senate and delivered to the Assembly (06/05/2025). Subsequent House referral to Education is recorded.
- Scheduled hearing: 11/12/2025 (Gardner Auditorium) per docket entry.
- Related filings: SD 1706 noted as replacement; several prior-session and companion bills listed.
Notes and considerations
- The statutory edits are narrow textual substitutions; major policy impact will depend on how “student growth” is defined and operationalized elsewhere in law or regulation (e.g., whether by growth models, growth-to-standard measures, or other methodologies).
- Because some supplied metadata (title, sponsor lists) conflicts with the docketed text, users should consult the official legislative file (Senate Docket No. 1706 / Print 379A) and the bill’s current version on the Massachusetts Legislature website for the authoritative text and up-to-date status.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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