Budget Amendment ID: FY2013-S4-374-R1

Redraft EDU 374

Regulatory Review and Paperwork Reduction

Messrs. Knapik and Tarr and Ms. Chang-Diaz and Messrs. Ross and Hedlund moved that the proposed new text be amended by adding at the end thereof, the following new section:-

Section XX. The department of elementary and secondary education shall submit a report reviewing the extent to which public school personnel are required to prepare and submit reports and data that are mandated by state and federal laws, regulations, and past practice to determine whether the reports and data are a valuable part of improving student achievement.

The department shall examine mandated reports and submissions of data required by state and federal law, regulation or administrative directive. The department’s analysis shall include, but not be limited to, an examination of the value of such reports in improving student achievement; reducing the achievement gap, so-called, identifying those which are duplicative or redundant; and proposing recommendations that may include, but are not restricted to, elimination, modification, or refinement of those reports and data which are required, or a listing of federal requirements that are duplicative, redundant or inadequately focused on the achievement gap. The report shall also include a description of all current efforts by the department to improve their business relationship with local education authorities, including the use of technology to ease reporting requirements, and to simplify grant application processes.

The department shall work in consultation with the American Federation of Teachers; Massachusetts Association for School Committees; Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents; Massachusetts Elementary School Principals’ Association; Massachusetts Secondary School Administrators’ Association; Massachusetts Parent Teacher Association; Massachusetts Teachers Association; and the members of Mass Partners for Public Schools in preparing said report.

The department shall file the results of its study, together with drafts of legislation, if any, necessary to carry out its recommendations, by filing the same with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate who shall forward a copy of the study to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on education no later than July 31, 2013.