HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 141        FILED ON: 1/10/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 482

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

William C. Galvin, (BY REQUEST)

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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 relative to school committee oversight.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 141        FILED ON: 1/10/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 482

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 4693 OF 2021-2022.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act relative to school committee oversight.

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. Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 97 the following section:-

Section 98. School Committees shall ensure that the courses of study prescribed by law and by the rules of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education are carried out.

(a) The school committee may establish supplemental courses that are not inconsistent with the prescribed courses and may adopt courses of study in lieu of state courses of study upon approval by the district's Superintendent.

(b) For each course of study offered by a school district, the district school board shall ensure that the following information is made available to the public on the school district’s website:

(i) The title of, or other descriptive information for, any textbooks and instructional

materials used for the course and, when available, a link for the textbook or instructional

materials;

(ii) A syllabus for, or written summary of, the course; and

(iii) When applicable, identification of the state academic content standards that are being satisfied by the course.

(c) The school committee shall ensure that any changes to the information described in subparagraph (b) of this paragraph are reflected on the school district’s website within 30 days of the change.

(d) Any school committee may establish a course of education concerning sexually transmitted infections including recognition of causes, sources and symptoms, and the availability of diagnostic and treatment centers. Any such course established may be taught to adults from the community served by the individual schools as well as to students enrolled in the school. The board shall cause the parents or guardians of minor students to be notified in advance that the course is to be taught. Any such parent or guardian may direct in writing that the minor child in the care of the parent or guardian be excused from any class within the course. Any parent or guardian may inspect the instructional materials to be used before or during the time the course is taught.