Bill filed would add equity review to charter school renewals in Massachusetts

A bill filed Jan. 14, 2025, in the Massachusetts House would require the board that evaluates charter school renewals to consider evidence of inequitable disciplinary practices and culturally insensitive policies, along with other information the board deems relevant to student outcomes. The bill was submitted as House Docket No. 938 and assigned House No. 634. Representatives Kate Lipper-Garabedian (32nd Middlesex) and Steven Ultrino (33rd Middlesex) presented the bill; Paul J. Donato (35th Middlesex) and Mindy Domb (3rd Hampshire) were added as petitioners. The proposed language would amend Section 89 of chapter 71 of the Massachusetts General Laws by adding a provision after the second paragraph of subsection (dd). Under the amendment, “The board shall also consider evidence of inequitable disciplinary practices and culturally insensitive policies. The board may also consider any other relevant information that, in its judgment, negatively impacts students' outcomes.” The filing text refers throughout only to “the board” and does not identify a specific agency by name; the filing does not include a committee referral, hearing date, or vote record. The document on file shows the bill was filed on Jan. 14, 2025, but contains no further procedural steps or formal actions in the text provided. If enacted, the change would add explicit equity-related factors for the board’s consideration when deciding whether to renew a charter. The filing text itself does not define terms such as “inequitable disciplinary practices” or “culturally insensitive policies,” nor does it prescribe a standard of proof or specific remedies. The bill text also gives the board discretion to consider “any other relevant information,” leaving scope and implementation details to future rulemaking or guidance. The filing does not include funding language or deadlines for decisions, and no vote or committee action is recorded in the provided text.