Massachusetts S 338: An Act ensuring diversity in public education

Bill Text

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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2097 FILED ON: 2/19/2021
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 338

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Adam Gomez
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act ensuring diversity in public education.
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PETITION OF:

NAME: DISTRICT/ADDRESS:
Adam Gomez Hampden
Carmine Lawrence Gentile 13th Middlesex 2/25/2021
Adam J. Scanlon 14th Bristol 2/25/2021
Jack Patrick Lewis 7th Middlesex 2/25/2021
Brendan P. Crighton Third Essex 3/4/2021
Erika Uyterhoeven 27th Middlesex 3/4/2021
Michael D. Brady Second Plymouth and Bristol 3/4/2021
Patricia D. Jehlen Second Middlesex 3/18/2021
Patrick M. O'Connor Plymouth and Norfolk 3/29/2021
Joanne M. Comerford Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester 3/29/2021
Maria Duaime Robinson 6th Middlesex 4/5/2021
Mary S. Keefe 15th Worcester 4/5/2021
Adam G. Hinds Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin and
Hampden
4/21/2021
Marc R. Pacheco First Plymouth and Bristol 5/12/2021

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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2097 FILED ON: 2/19/2021
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 338
By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 338) of Adam Gomez, Carmine
Lawrence Gentile, Adam J. Scanlon, Jack Patrick Lewis and other members of the General Court
for legislation to ensure diversity in public education. Education.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)
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An Act ensuring diversity in public education.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:

1 SECTION 1. Section 38G of Chapter 71, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is
2 hereby amended by striking the twelfth paragraph in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the
3 following new paragraph:-
4 To be eligible for certification as a provisional educator, the candidate shall (1) hold a
5 bachelor's degree in arts or sciences from an accredited college or university with a major course
6 in the arts or sciences appropriate to the instructional field; (2) pass a test or satisfy alternative
7 measures of proficiency established by the board; provided, that if the candidate chooses to take
8 a test, that test shall consist of two parts: (A) a writing section which shall demonstrate the
9 communication and literacy skills necessary for effective instruction and improved
10 communication between school and parents; and (B) the subject matter knowledge for the
11 certificate; provided further, that in providing an alternative to the test, the board shall consider:
12 (A) the candidate’s proficiency in communication and literacy skills and (B) in subject matter

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13 knowledge for the certificate; and (3) be of sound moral character. Candidates who complete the
14 requirements in this paragraph shall be issued provisional educator certificates which will permit
15 them to seek employment in teaching positions requiring instructional certification in districts
16 which have an approved provisional educator preparation program.
17 SECTION 2. Said section 38G of Chapter 71, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition,
18 is hereby further amended by striking the eighteenth paragraph in its entirety and inserting in
19 place thereof the following new paragraph:-
20 To be eligible for certification as a provisional educator with advanced standing, the
21 candidate shall provide evidence that he (1) holds a bachelor's degree in arts or sciences from an
22 accredited college or university with a major course in the arts or sciences appropriate to the
23 instructional field or the equivalent baccalaureate degree; (2) pass a test or satisfy alternative
24 measures of proficiency established by the board; provided, that if the candidate chooses to take
25 a test, that test shall consist of two parts: (A) a writing section which shall demonstrate the
26 communication and literacy skills necessary for effective instruction and improved
27 communication between school and parents; and (B) the subject matter knowledge for the
28 certificate; provided further, that in providing an alternative to the test, the board shall consider:
29 (A) the candidate’s proficiency in communication and literacy skills and (B) in subject matter
30 knowledge for the certificate; and (3) has satisfactorily completed a board of education approved
31 teacher preparation program; and (4) is of sound moral character. A candidate who completes the
32 requirements of this paragraph shall be issued a provisional educator certificate with advanced
33 standing which will permit him to seek employment in a teaching position requiring instructional
34 certification.

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35 SECTION 3. Section 18 of Chapter 74, as appearing in the 2018 Official