SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, there is hereby established a Massachusetts Common Core State Standards and Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) Implementation Review Workgroup.

The Workgroup shall consist of the following members:

(1)two members of the senate, one each appointed by the senate president and the senate minority leader;

(2)two members of the house of representatives, one each appointed by the speaker of the house and the house minority leader;

(3)a designee of the Massachusetts association of school superintendents;

(4)the secretary of education, or his designee; and

(5)the following members appointed by the governor:

i.1 representative of the Massachusetts teachers association;

ii.1 representative of the board of education;

iii.2 representatives of the Massachusetts parent teacher association who are parents of students enrolled in Massachusetts public schools;

iv.1 representative of the Massachusetts association of school committees;

v.1 academic expert whose area of expertise is curriculum and instruction;

vi.1 academic expert whose area of expertise if educational measurement;

vii.1 representative of the Massachusetts business association for education; and

viii.1 representative of the Pioneer Institute.

The Governor shall designate two co-chairs of the Workgroup. Members shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The executive office of education may provide staff support to the Workgroup.

The Workgroup shall:

(1)hold its first meeting on or before July 1, 2015;

(2)identify and analyze the best practices of local education agencies in the State and in other jurisdictions that are successfully implementing the Common Core State Standards and the PARCC assessments;

(3)assess how the Massachusetts College and Career-Ready Standards and the PARCC assessments with affect students with disabilities, English language learners, and students who qualify for free and reduced-priced meals;

(4)determine what, if any, new curriculum resources will be needed in order to fully implement the Massachusetts Common Core State Standards;

(5)identify how the department of education plans to assist local school districts in preparing parents and students for the PARCC assessments;

(6)assess the needs of teachers and principals in the area of professional development related to the implementation of the Common Core State Standards, including determining:

i.what, if any, state and federal funding is available to supplement the funding that municipalities provide toward the professional development of teachers and principals; and

ii.what, if any, professional development and ongoing support from local school districts is available to expand the use of technology as an instructional tool in the classroom;

(7)assess the technological readiness and needs of the public schools for the implementation of the PARCC assessments, including what resources will be needed to teach students the necessary computer skills to take the PARCC assessments;

(8)begin recommending a professional development plan for the department of education to implement during the 2016-2017 school year to assist local school districts in implementing the Common Core State Standards;

(9)recommend a plan to meet the technological infrastructure needs of public schools related to the implementation of the PARCC assessments;

(10)assess how the PARCC assessments testing window will affect the normal school calendar and school schedule;

(11)assess how local school districts are including teachers in the discussion to improve the implementation of the Massachusetts Common Core State Standards; and

(12)analyze the guidance local school districts have received from the department of education in regards to measuring student growth in light of the new teacher evaluation system and student learning objectives.

On or before August 15, 2016, the Workgroup shall submit a preliminary report of its findings and recommendations on the matters listed above. A full report of the Workgroup’s findings and recommendations, including any draft legislation, shall be filed with the clerks of the house of representatives and senate by December 31, 2016.