Amendment #799 to H5007

Increasing Educator Workforce Diversity

Ms. Peisch of Wellesley moves to amend the bill by inserting the following:-

SECTION 1. Section 38G of chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after paragraph 13, ending with the words “approved provisional educator preparation program”, the following paragraph:-

The department shall, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, implement a five-year pilot program for the purpose of developing an additional process for granting educator certification that may be used as an alternative to the testing requirements contained in this section. The program shall be limited to allowing candidates for certification to earn an initial preliminary certification that could lead to permanent certification after four years of teaching experience during which the candidate for licensure has demonstrated teacher proficiency as measured by student growth scores and other factors. The alternative certification process may allow for the waiving of no more than one of the two testing requirements as listed in this section per candidate and include consideration of factors such as whether a candidate has: obtained certification in another state approved by the department; completed a satisfactory portfolio of items that may include student feedback or competency-based projects; or obtained a master’s degree or doctorate from an accredited institution. The department shall limit the hiring of candidates alternatively certified under the pilot program to those public school districts and charter schools that the department has certified as having demonstrated one of the following characteristics: (a) a demographic disparity between the district’s student population and its teaching workforce; (b) a shortage of teachers to serve English Language Learners; or (c) a critical need to fill teacher vacancies. In no case shall the department allow for any district to fill more than 10% of its teaching positions with educators alternatively certified.  The department may use the results of the alternative assessment pilot authorized by 603 CMR 7.04(e) to inform the development of the alternative licensure process required by this paragraph. The department shall conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the pilot program and the use of the alternative certification process during the pilot period. The evaluation shall include a measurement of student impacts as measured by student growth and other factors. The evaluation shall also include an assessment of progress made in diversifying the educator workforce and the impacts on candidates of diverse backgrounds. This section shall take effect within ninety days of the passage of this act.

SECTION 2.

(a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the department of elementary and secondary education shall set measurable educator diversity goals for the state and collect and report publicly statewide educator diversity data. The data shall be reported in an online dashboard created in consultation with the board of elementary and secondary education. The data shall include, but not be limited to, the hiring and retention of diverse educators, the racial demographics of educators who complete Massachusetts state educator preparation programs, and teacher qualification data from school and district report cards. The department shall report annually to the board of elementary and secondary education on state educator diversity data and goals. The department shall also submit a report on the state of educator diversity to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives no later than June 30th on an annual basis.

(b) Each public school district and charter school shall collect and report educator diversity data publicly in a manner prescribed by the department; provided that the department shall utilize existing reporting mechanisms and schedules to collect educator diversity data and outcomes and shall annually present both to the school committee or board of trustees. The data reported pursuant to this paragraph shall include information regarding the achievement of goals set pursuant to subsection (a)(i) of section 38G ¾ of chapter 71 of the General Laws.

SECTION 3. Said chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 38G ½ the following section:-

Section 38G ¾

(a) Each public school district and charter school shall establish a diversity plan that conforms with the guidelines established by the department of elementary and secondary education pursuant to subsection (b). Such plans shall set forth specific goals and timetables for achievement, shall comply with all applicable state and federal laws, and shall be updated, at a minimum, every 3 years.

(b) To promote a racially and ethnically diverse educator workforce, the department shall:

(i) establish guidelines for diversity plans. These guidelines shall, at a minimum: (1) identify and eliminate discriminatory barriers to hiring and learning in a school or district; (2) remedy the effects of past discriminatory practices; (3) identify, recruit, and hire employees who are members of under-represented groups; (4) develop, promote, and retain employees who are members of under-represented groups; and (5) ensure equal opportunity in employment for educators. In developing these guidelines, the department shall consult with experts and school leaders from public schools or districts that have experienced significant increases in hiring and retaining racially and ethnically diverse educators;

(ii) establish a process for reviewing diversity plans based on clearly defined criteria. A public school district or charter school shall amend any plan deemed not to conform with the requirements of this section. A public school district or charter school shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of this section if it has prioritized diversity in its 3-year plan required by section 1S of chapter 69 of the General Laws, as amended by chapter 132 of the acts of 2019, or in any other strategic plan developed by the district;

(iii) establish periodic reporting requirements for public school districts and charter schools concerning the implementation of their diversity plans and all actions taken to ensure compliance with this section and applicable state and federal laws. These reporting requirements shall be incorporated into existing reporting mechanisms and schedules where feasible;

(iv) assist public school districts and charter schools in complying with their diversity plans and applicable federal and state laws; and

(v) require approved educator preparation programs to implement diversity plans to increase the racial and ethnic diversity of program completers. These plans shall be required as part of the educator preparation program approval process and the department shall make each program’s plan publicly available. The department shall establish guidelines for educator preparation program diversity plans.

(c) The board of elementary and secondary education shall review compliance with these diversity plans and policies on a regular basis and may provide further recommendations regarding educator diversity.

SECTION 4.

(a) Each public school district and charter school shall have a diversity, equity, and inclusion officer(s) or establish a diversity team, referred to in this section as a diversity officer or team. The role and responsibilities of a diversity officer or team may be assigned to an existing school employee or existing school entity. A diversity officer or team shall report directly to the superintendent. Diversity officers or teams shall coordinate their school district or school’s compliance with the requirements of this section and applicable federal and state laws.

(b) Each public school district and charter school shall establish a process for advising the school committee or board of trustees on matters of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the school district. This process may include establishing an educator diversity council consisting of educators, administrators, and students, which shall meet regularly with the superintendent or the diversity officer or teams and the school committee or board of trustees. The school committee or board of trustees may appoint one of its members to serve as an ex-officio member of the educator diversity council.

(c) Pursuant to guidelines established by the department all superintendents, school committee members, boards of trustees, district leaders, principals and school district employees shall complete a diversity and implicit bias training course, the frequency of which shall be established by the department.

SECTION 5.

The department of elementary and secondary education shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement the requirements of this act. Such regulations shall include a schedule for public school districts and charter schools to meet the planning and reporting requirements of this act, provided that such schedule shall prioritize implementation for public school districts and charter schools that have significant disparities between educator and student demographics, according to race and ethnicity.

SECTION 6.

The department of elementary and secondary education shall establish an educator diversity grant program, subject to appropriation, which shall provide grants to assist public school districts or charter schools with the establishment of programs to increase educator diversity. Grant funds may be used for purposes including, but not limited to, the development, in collaboration with institutions of higher education, of in-house teacher residency programs or pathways focused on recruiting, developing, and supporting educators who are members of under-represented groups. This grant program will also support other promising practices to increase the recruitment and retention of diverse educators. The department shall periodically report to the joint committee on education and the house and senate committees on ways and means on the impact of the grant program, including the expenditure of funds by schools and an analysis of the types of programs or initiatives created by said funds.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #799 to H5007

Increasing Educator Workforce Diversity