Amendment #229 to H3400

Educational Study

[Sponsors] Representative Hill of Ipswich moves that the bill be amended by adding at the end thereof the following new section:-

Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the department of elementary and secondary education shall prepare a report on the current status of the public education financing system in the commonwealth as it currently exists. The report shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following: (1) the source of and potential remedies for any existing discrepancies between the fiscal demands placed upon and the fiscal assistance provided to municipalities and school districts with similar fiscal capacity and educational responsibilities, including those placed and provided pursuant to chapter 70; (2) a consideration and evaluation of all the financial resources made available to schools and districts, from all sources, and how they relate to student learning and educational opportunity; and (3) a review of successful educational programs in schools and school districts that achieve their success at relatively lower per pupil costs when compared with schools and districts serving student populations with similar academic and socio-economic characteristics and an assessment of the possibility of replicating such programs in other schools and school districts. In compiling the report, the department shall consult with various education personnel, advocacy organizations, and economic experts. The department shall file said report not later than December 31, 2011 to the joint committee on education.