Education

in committee · Massachusetts · House Aug 28, 2025

H 4407: An Act relative to college in high school

H 4407 requires Massachusetts public colleges and universities to establish clear, written policies for granting college credit to high school students who earn qualifying scores on Advanced Placement exams, complete International Baccalaureate programs, or take dual enrollment courses. These policies must specify minimum score requirements, how credit applies toward degree requirements (e.g., general education or major courses), and how credits transfer between institutions, with all policies posted online for transparency. The state Department of Higher Education will review these policies every three years and report findings to the legislature. The bill also creates an Office of Early College to oversee statewide early college programs, which are partnerships between high schools and colleges allowing students to earn college credit while still in high school.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires colleges to establish clear policies for granting college credit via AP/IB/dual enrollment, expanding student access to higher education pathways.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 17, 2026

H 1448: An Act creating higher education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and other developmental disabilities

By Representative Kushmerek of Fitchburg, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1448) of Michael P. Kushmerek for legislation to create higher education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities, autism, and other developmental disabilities. Higher Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly creates higher education opportunities for students with disabilities, expanding educational access per topic description.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Sep 8, 2025

S 923: An Act relative to college in high school

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 923) of Brendan P. Crighton and Manny Cruz for legislation relative to college credits while attending high school. Higher Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables high school students to earn college credits, expanding access to higher education opportunities through concurrent enrollment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 7, 2026

H 1456: An Act relative to community colleges and the career technical initiative

By Representative Scanlon of North Attleborough, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1456) of Adam J. Scanlon relative to community colleges and the career technical initiative. Higher Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill addresses community colleges and career technical initiatives under Higher Education, directly advancing educational access and workforce programs without restrictions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 2, 2025

H 4463: An Act to provide green and healthy public colleges and universities

This bill creates a Green and Healthy Public College and University Building Planning Commission to assess and improve energy efficiency, indoor air quality, accessibility, and safety in all public higher education buildings across Massachusetts. The commission, including representatives from universities, labor groups, health and environmental organizations, must develop standards by 2028 and create a plan to ensure all public college/university buildings meet these standards by 2037. It requires public reporting through an online dashboard tracking building assessments and prioritizes renovations for facilities serving underserved communities or with the greatest health/safety needs. The bill also establishes a dedicated fund to finance these upgrades using state appropriations, grants, and other sources, with cost-benefit analyses comparing long-term savings to upfront investments.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationImproves physical infrastructure for higher education buildings, enhancing safety, accessibility, and environmental quality - directly advancing educational environment standards.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates energy efficiency standards for public college buildings, directly advancing energy conservation goals through commission-led planning and implementation timelines.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates energy efficiency standards and indoor air quality improvements in public buildings, directly advancing environmental protection through reduced emissions and healthier facilities by 2037.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncludes labor groups in commission to improve building safety standards, directly addressing workplace safety under Labor & Employment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Energy Efficiency Air Quality

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 29, 2025

H 627: An Act relative to the strengthening of financial literacy throughout the commonwealth

By Representative Lawn of Watertown, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 627) of John J. Lawn, Jr., for legislation to authorize the department of elementary and secondary education to establish the financial literacy trust fund. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes a financial literacy trust fund under education department to strengthen financial literacy curriculum, directly advancing educational programming and funding within K-12 schools.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 15, 2026

H 587: An Act to require mandatory training on microaggressions and implicit bias for staff members teaching extracurricular activities

By Representative Gómez of Easthampton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 587) of Homar Gómez for legislation to require mandatory training on microaggressions and implicit bias for staff members teaching extracurricular activities. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires mandatory staff training on microaggressions/implicit bias for extracurriculars, directly supporting inclusive educational environments and teacher development in education.90% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 103: An Act relative to community colleges and the career technical initiative

This bill allows Massachusetts community colleges to apply for state grant funding through the Career Technical Initiative. It enables colleges to create evening courses for adult learners in technical and trade fields, leading to industry-recognized certifications. Community college career technical programs must meet the same approval standards as those in vocational schools and be included in all initiative reports. The bill directly affects community colleges and adult learners seeking credentials in technical careers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables state grant funding for community college career technical programs, expanding adult learner access to certified training through evening courses.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 151: An Act relative to admissions requirements to institutions of higher education

This bill (HD 151) directs Massachusetts' Department of Higher Education to review whether public colleges should require standardized tests like the SAT or ACT for undergraduate admission. The review must examine testing trends in Massachusetts and other states, the tests' accuracy in measuring college readiness, evidence of bias, and impacts on student diversity (including race, income, and first-generation status). The department must consult with educators, students, experts, and advocacy groups, then publish findings and submit a report to key legislative committees within one year. The bill does not change current admission policies but mandates a study to inform future decisions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill reviews eliminating standardized test requirements to address bias and improve diversity in higher education access, aligning with equity goals in educational policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 38: An Act banning legacy preferences in higher education

SD 38 bans legacy preferences in Massachusetts public higher education admissions. It prohibits public universities (including the University of Massachusetts and state universities) and degree-granting institutions in the Commonwealth from considering an applicant's familial relationship to a graduate when making admission decisions. The bill also requires institutions to remove any mention of relatives' college attendance from admission documents. These changes take effect for the 2026-2027 school year. The policy directly affects applicants to these institutions by eliminating a factor that previously gave preference to students with family ties to alumni.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBans legacy preferences in higher education admissions to expand equitable access, aligning with educational access goals in the topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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