An Act to promote inclusive curriculum in schools
Generates a plain-language summary of the bill text and history.
| Committee | Recommendation | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| J14 | Redraft | 1 entries |
Chapter 29 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 2FFFFFF the following new section:-
GGGGG. (a) There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a separate fund to be known as the Comprehensive and Inclusive Curriculum Trust Fund. The fund shall be administered by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education. The fund shall be credited with: (i) revenue from appropriations or other money authorized by the general court and specifically designated to be credited to the fund; (ii) interest earned on such revenues; and (iii) funds from public and private sources such as gifts, grants and donations to further develop the inclusive curriculum pursuant to section 1U of Chapter 69 and provide professional development. Amounts credited to the fund shall not be subject to further appropriation and any money remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund. (b) Amounts credited to the fund may be expended, without further appropriation, by the commissioner, for purposes related to the instruction of middle and high school students on inclusive curriculum, including, but not limited to: (i) for the development of curricular materials related to inclusive curriculum; (ii) for professional development training; (iii) for collaboration and sharing of best practices among school districts; and (iv) for collaboration with institutions of higher education and other stakeholder organizations. The commissioner may expend funds for grant programs and may facilitate the granting of funds and other resources to public schools and school districts, institutions of higher education, and community groups. (c) In expending amounts credited to the fund, the commissioner may prioritize: (i) underserved communities across the commonwealth, including those public schools or school districts with high concentrations of low-income students; (ii) communities that have experienced an incident motivated by racial, ethnic, gender identity, or religious bias; or (iii) public schools or school districts implementing inclusive curriculum for the first time. (d) Amounts received from private sources shall be approved by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education and subject to review before being deposited in the fund to ensure that pledged funds are not accompanied by conditions, explicit or implicit, that would improperly shape or otherwise hinder the development and implementation of inclusive curriculum, or that would be detrimental to the neutral and rigorous teaching of inclusive curriculum. The review shall be made publicly available on the department’s website. (e) Annually, not later than December 1, the commissioner shall report to the clerks of the house of representatives and senate, the joint committee on education and the house and senate committees on ways and means on the fund's activity. The report shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the source and amount of funds received; (ii) the amounts distributed and the purpose of expenditures from the fund; and (iii) anticipated revenue and expenditure projections for the following year.
Section 1E of Chapter 69 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:- Frameworks shall accurately represent and be inclusive of all people so that students learn about the histories, experiences, perspectives, heritages, and cultures of all Americans to promote mutual understanding and prepare them to become well-informed citizens.
Chapter 69 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 1T the following new section:-
(a) Inclusive curriculum shall promote an accurate representation of all Americans and be inclusive of all people so that students learn about the histories, experiences, perspectives, heritages, and cultures of all Americans to promote mutual understanding and prepare them to become well-informed citizens. To ensure a comprehensive education, inclusive curriculum shall include, but not be limited to: (i) studying literature, books, writings, art, music, film and other works by people from underrepresented groups that will offer insight into different perspectives and experiences; (ii) celebrating people from underrepresented groups who have made notable contributions in math, science, humanities, the arts and other disciplines, and the impact these contributions have had on society; (iii) learning about the ethnic and cultural identities, heritage, and customs of underrepresented groups and celebrating their contributions to American society; (iv) accurate histories and experiences of underrepresented groups, including, but not limited to, their histories of immigration, assimilation, discrimination, and contributions within our society; (v) the history of slavery and segregation, and its past and present impact; (vi) the consequences of colonial settlement, land appropriation, territorial expansion, and creation of tribal reservations; (vii) the effects of discriminatory and exclusionary policies and practices; (viii) how historical events and practices relate to current issues affecting contemporary society; (ix) the identification of bias and stereotypes, and the impact of inequities and violence towards marginalized groups; and (x) issues related to how marginalization and exclusion of underrepresented groups affect opportunities for geographic and economic mobility, power and access, voting rights, and civic participation. (b) All lessons and teaching related to inclusive curriculum must be appropriate for use with students of all races, religions, nationalities, genders, gender identities, abilities, neurological profiles, sexual orientations, and ethnic and cultural backgrounds, as well as English language learners. (c) The department shall curate inclusive curriculum materials on their website for use in public schools and districts. In curating curricula, the commissioner shall solicit and incorporate input from stakeholders, including, but not limited to, educators, scholars with cultural expertise, experts in ethnic studies, and students and community members from traditionally underrepresented cultural and ethnic groups. (d) The department shall provide professional development opportunities for educators on inclusive curriculum established pursuant to subsection (a) that supports public schools and districts implementing inclusive curriculum.
SECTION 1. Chapter 29 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 2FFFFFF the following new section:- Section 2GGGGGG. (a) There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a separate fund to be known as the Comprehensive and Inclusive Curriculum Trust Fund. The fund shall be administered by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education. The fund shall be credited with: (i) revenue from appropriations or other money authorized by the general court and specifically designated to be credited to the fund; (ii) interest earned on such revenues; and (iii) funds from public and private sources such as gifts, grants and donations to further develop the inclusive curriculum pursuant to section 1U of Chapter 69 and provide professional development. Amounts credited to the fund shall not be subject to further appropriation and any money remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund. (b) Amounts credited to the fund may be expended, without further appropriation, by the commissioner, for purposes related to the instruction of middle and high school students on inclusive curriculum, including, but not limited to: (i) for the development of curricular materials related to inclusive curriculum; (ii) for professional development training; (iii) for collaboration and sharing of best practices among school districts; and (iv) for collaboration with institutions of higher education and other stakeholder organizations. The commissioner may expend funds for grant programs and may facilitate the granting of funds and other resources to public schools and school districts, institutions of higher education, and community groups. (c) In expending amounts credited to the fund, the commissioner may prioritize: (i) underserved communities across the commonwealth, including those public schools or school districts with high concentrations of low-income students; (ii) communities that have experienced an incident motivated by racial, ethnic, gender identity, or religious bias; or (iii) public schools or school districts implementing inclusive curriculum for the first time. (d) Amounts received from private sources shall be approved by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education and subject to review before being deposited in the fund to ensure that pledged funds are not accompanied by conditions, explicit or implicit, that would improperly shape or otherwise hinder the development and implementation of inclusive curriculum, or that would be detrimental to the neutral and rigorous teaching of inclusive curriculum. The review shall be made publicly available on the department’s website. (e) Annually, not later than December 1, the commissioner shall report to the clerks of the house of representatives and senate, the joint committee on education and the house and senate committees on ways and means on the fund's activity. The report shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the source and amount of funds received; (ii) the amounts distributed and the purpose of expenditures from the fund; and (iii) anticipated revenue and expenditure projections for the following year. SECTION 2. Section 1E of Chapter 69 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:- Frameworks shall accurately represent and be inclusive of all people so that students learn about the histories, experiences, perspectives, heritages, and cultures of all Americans to promote mutual understanding and prepare them to become well-informed citizens. SECTION 3. Chapter 69 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 1T the following new section:- Section 1U. (a) Inclusive curriculum shall promote an accurate representation of all Americans and be inclusive of all people so that students learn about the histories, experiences, perspectives, heritages, and cultures of all Americans to promote mutual understanding and prepare them to become well-informed citizens. To ensure a comprehensive education, inclusive curriculum shall include, but not be limited to: (i) studying literature, books, writings, art, music, film and other works by people from underrepresented groups that will offer insight into different perspectives and experiences; (ii) celebrating people from underrepresented groups who have made notable contributions in math, science, humanities, the arts and other disciplines, and the impact these contributions have had on society; (iii) learning about the ethnic and cultural identities, heritage, and customs of underrepresented groups and celebrating their contributions to American society; (iv) accurate histories and experiences of underrepresented groups, including, but not limited to, their histories of immigration, assimilation, discrimination, and contributions within our society; (v) the history of slavery and segregation, and its past and present impact; (vi) the consequences of colonial settlement, land appropriation, territorial expansion, and creation of tribal reservations; (vii) the effects of discriminatory and exclusionary policies and practices; (viii) how historical events and practices relate to current issues affecting contemporary society; (ix) the identification of bias and stereotypes, and the impact of inequities and violence towards marginalized groups; and (x) issues related to how marginalization and exclusion of underrepresented groups affect opportunities for geographic and economic mobility, power and access, voting rights, and civic participation. (b) All lessons and teaching related to inclusive curriculum must be appropriate for use with students of all races, religions, nationalities, genders, gender identities, abilities, neurological profiles, sexual orientations, and ethnic and cultural backgrounds, as well as English language learners. (c) The department shall curate inclusive curriculum materials on their website for use in public schools and districts. In curating curricula, the commissioner shall solicit and incorporate input from stakeholders, including, but not limited to, educators, scholars with cultural expertise, experts in ethnic studies, and students and community members from traditionally underrepresented cultural and ethnic groups. (d) The department shall provide professional development opportunities for educators on inclusive curriculum established pursuant to subsection (a) that supports public schools and districts implementing inclusive curriculum.