Amendment #8, as changed to H4672

Public School Library Access and Literacy Educator Workforce Study

Ms. Decker of Cambridge moves to amend the bill by striking out the amendment in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following:-

Ms. Decker of Cambridge moves to amend the bill by inserting after section 11A, inserted by Further #9, the following section:-

SECTION 11B. (a) The department of elementary and secondary education, in collaboration with stakeholders, including, but not limited to, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, Inc. and the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, Inc., shall study and make recommendations relative to the education workforce in public school districts in the area of reading and literacy development.

(b) The study and recommendations shall include, but shall not be limited to, an analysis of: (i) existing student access to public school libraries and its impact on student reading and literacy and recommendations to ensure equitable access to school libraries for all students; and (ii) data reported by school districts to the department of elementary and secondary education on the number of reading specialists, reading interventionists, literacy coordinators, school librarians, library aides, education support professionals and other staff employed by the district that directly support student reading and literacy development and the development of recommended staffing levels based on that analysis. The staffing levels recommended by the department shall be differentiated for school districts based on the unique learning needs of districts’ student populations, including, but not limited to, the number of low-income students, emergent bilingual learners and students with disabilities enrolled in a school district.

(c) Not later than December 31, 2026, the department shall submit a report on its study and recommendations to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on education. The report shall include an estimated cost for school districts to come into compliance with the recommended staffing levels.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #8, as changed to H4672

Public School Library Access and Literacy Educator Workforce Study