An Act relative to educator diversity
This bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create a five-year pilot program that offers an alternative path to teacher certification. Instead of requiring all candidates to pass standard state exams, the program would allow individuals to earn preliminary certification based on their teaching experience and student growth scores over four years. The alternative process could also waive one of the two required tests for candidates who have already been certified in another state, shown significant impact on student growth while working outside Massachusetts, or completed a satisfactory portfolio of work. This initiative directly affects aspiring educators by providing a more flexible route to licensure that relies on demonstrated proficiency rather than solely on standardized testing.
Bill status
passed
3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Feb 2023
Senate Passage
Feb 2024
Governor
Introduced Feb 16, 2023
Last action Apr 8, 2024
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
6
Key actions
2
Committee
1
Feb 29, 2024
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 16, 2023
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 16, 2023
Committee
Referred to the committee on Education
lower
1 primary · 54 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Alice Peisch
DDemocratic
Co
Adam Scanlon
DDemocratic
Co
Adrian Madaro
DDemocratic
Co
Becca Rausch
DDemocratic
Co
Brandy Fluker-Reid
DDemocratic
Co
Brian Murray
DDemocratic
Co
Carlos González
DDemocratic
Co
Carmine Gentile
DDemocratic
Co
Carol Doherty
DDemocratic
Co
Carole Fiola
DDemocratic
Co
Chris Hendricks
DDemocratic
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