HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2739        FILED ON: 1/14/2009

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 491

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act relative to education..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Whereas the achievement gap defined by MCAS test scores for minorities, ethnic subgroups and poor students still exist.

Whereas intervention is needed to improve underperforming schools.

Whereas student drop out rates has reach a 14% high while still other students remain unaccounted.

Whereas the Hancock vs. Driscoll Case has demonstrated that school resource deficiencies still exist within the Massachusetts school system and Supreme Judicial Court left the resolution up to the legislature.

Whereas the funding formula adjustments are needed for both traditional and charter public schools, and the funding restored for MCAS remediation.

Whereas assessments for teachers through evaluation programs (603 CMR 35.00) and the program funding support is still lagging.

Whereas the Department of Education staffing shortfall has not been corrected.