SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1873        FILED ON: 2/18/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 845

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Jason M. Lewis

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to increase access to higher education for disadvantaged students.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

Jason M. Lewis

Fifth Middlesex

 

James B. Eldridge

Middlesex and Worcester

3/8/2021


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1873        FILED ON: 2/18/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 845

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 845) of Jason M. Lewis and James B. Eldridge for legislation to increase access to higher education for disadvantaged students.  Higher Education.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

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An Act to increase access to higher education for disadvantaged students.

 

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

SECTION 1. (a) As of October 1, 2024, institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth shall not use standardized test scores for purposes of determining student admission to undergraduate or graduate degree programs.

(b) Subsection (a) shall not apply to examinations required for determining licensure, certification or any profession where an examination is required by a national accreditation organization.

SECTION 2. (a) The commissioner of the department of higher education shall convene a working group with representatives from both public and private institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth to develop, support and promote alternative methods for determining student admission to undergraduate and graduate degree programs that better promote equity and opportunity for students from all backgrounds, especially students of color and those from other disadvantaged backgrounds.

(b) Annually, not later than December 31, the commissioner shall submit a report detailing their progress and indicating any barriers to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate and the chairs of the joint committee on higher education.

SECTION 3. section 2 of this act is hereby amended by striking subsection (b)

SECTION 4. Section 3 of this act shall take effect on January 1, 2025.