SENATE DOCKET, NO. 990        FILED ON: 1/18/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 834

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Jason M. Lewis

_________________

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.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Jason M. Lewis

Fifth Middlesex


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 990        FILED ON: 1/18/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 834

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 834) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation to increase access to higher education for disadvantaged students.  Higher Education.

 

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 845 OF 2021-2022.]

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

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

_______________

 

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, 2026, 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, 2027.