Massachusetts Legislature Votes to Enact the Student Opportunity Act
Investing $1.5 billion in public schools, updating statewide education policy, and supporting effective approaches to close student opportunity gaps
Nov. 20, 2019 – (BOSTON) – Today, both chambers of the Massachusetts Legislature unanimously voted to enact the Student Opportunity Act. This legislation, providing $1.5 billion new investment in Massachusetts K-12 public education system, ensures public schools have resources to provide high-quality education to all students. Over the seven-year implementation timeline the bill provides an estimated $2.2 billion in support of public schools.
The Student Opportunity Act improves support to school districts that serve English learners and low-income students. All school districts across the Commonwealth will benefit from updates to the existing funding formula, in vital education aid programs such as special education transportation, school construction and renovation, and the 21st Century Education Program.
“The Student Opportunity Act renews our commitment to equity that we first made in 1993,” said Senator Patricia Jehlen (D-Somerville). “It will still take seven years and continued commitment to fully fix the inadequate foundation budget. But thanks to the tireless leadership and advocacy of educators, parents, students, and others we are finally on the right track.”
The Student Opportunity Act fully implements the recommendations of the 2015 Foundation Budget Review Commission (FBRC) to support the “educational programs and services necessary to achieve the Commonwealth’s educational goals” as stated in the Commission’s mission. The bill provides an estimated $1.4 billion in new Chapter 70 aid above inflation over the next seven years.
In order to track and reproduce successful school and district-level programs and policies, the legislation calls on school districts to develop and make publicly available plans for closing opportunity gaps. These plans will include specific goals and metrics to track success. The bill includes language sponsored by Senator Jehlen to ensure that plans consider input from school committees and other stakeholders.
“I hope parents, teachers, students and community groups will use the opportunity to make recommendations for using the new resources to help students who face extra challenges,” said Senator Jehlen.
The bill requires the Foundation Budget Review Commission to convene at least every ten years to review the way foundation budgets are calculated and ensure the school funding formula continues to reflect the needs of school districts across the Commonwealth.
The bill now goes to the governor.
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