An Act relative to school committee oversight
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| Date | Branch | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 10/29/2025 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 11/12/2025 from 11:00 AM-05:00 PM in Gardner Auditorium |
| 2/27/2025 | Senate | Senate concurred |
| 2/27/2025 | House | Referred to the committee on Education |
| Cosponsor |
|---|
| Paul McAuliffe |
Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 97 the following section:-
School Committees shall ensure that the courses of study prescribed by law and by the rules of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education are carried out. (a) The school committee may establish supplemental courses that are not inconsistent with the prescribed courses and may adopt courses of study in lieu of state courses of study upon approval by the district's Superintendent. (b) For each course of study offered by a school district, the district school board shall ensure that the following information is made available to the public on the school district’s website: (i) The title of, or other descriptive information for, any textbooks and instructional materials used for the course and, when available, a link for the textbook or instructional materials; (ii) A syllabus for, or written summary of, the course; and (iii) When applicable, identification of the state academic content standards that are being satisfied by the course. (c) The school committee shall ensure that any changes to the information described in subparagraph (b) of this paragraph are reflected on the school district’s website within 30 days of the change. (d) Any school committee may establish a course of education concerning sexually transmitted infections including recognition of causes, sources and symptoms, and the availability of diagnostic and treatment centers. Any such course established may be taught to adults from the community served by the individual schools as well as to students enrolled in the school. The board shall cause the parents or guardians of minor students to be notified in advance that the course is to be taught. Any such parent or guardian may direct in writing that the minor child in the care of the parent or guardian be excused from any class within the course. Any parent or guardian may inspect the instructional materials to be used before or during the time the course is taught.
Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 97 the following section:- Section 98. School Committees shall ensure that the courses of study prescribed by law and by the rules of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education are carried out. (a) The school committee may establish supplemental courses that are not inconsistent with the prescribed courses and may adopt courses of study in lieu of state courses of study upon approval by the district's Superintendent. (b) For each course of study offered by a school district, the district school board shall ensure that the following information is made available to the public on the school district’s website: (i) The title of, or other descriptive information for, any textbooks and instructional materials used for the course and, when available, a link for the textbook or instructional materials; (ii) A syllabus for, or written summary of, the course; and (iii) When applicable, identification of the state academic content standards that are being satisfied by the course. (c) The school committee shall ensure that any changes to the information described in subparagraph (b) of this paragraph are reflected on the school district’s website within 30 days of the change. (d) Any school committee may establish a course of education concerning sexually transmitted infections including recognition of causes, sources and symptoms, and the availability of diagnostic and treatment centers. Any such course established may be taught to adults from the community served by the individual schools as well as to students enrolled in the school. The board shall cause the parents or guardians of minor students to be notified in advance that the course is to be taught. Any such parent or guardian may direct in writing that the minor child in the care of the parent or guardian be excused from any class within the course. Any parent or guardian may inspect the instructional materials to be used before or during the time the course is taught.