Massachusetts School Climate Policy

Views of Climate and Learning (VOCAL) Survey Project.

Administered to students in grades 4, 5, 8, and 10, and participation in this project is voluntary. The three dimensions of school climate the survey analyses are engagement, safety, and environment.

https://www.doe.mass.edu/research/vocal/

Who does this protect? Students, Staff and Administrators

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

Provides a definition for the terms bullying and cyberbullying as well as the behaviors and consequences associated with these actions.

• 603 CMR 49.3. Definitions and terms.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/massachusetts/600-699-cmr/603/603-cmr-49/49-03/

• General Laws of Massachusetts 71.37o School bullying prohibited; bullying prevention and intervention plans; reporting of bullying incident date.

https://law.justia.com/codes/massachusetts/2020/part-i/title-xii/chapter-71/section-37o/

 Massachusetts asks schools to develop and implement procedures to prevent bullying and harassment behavior and the consequences of such behavior. Policies also explain that procedures are needed for reporting an incidence of bullying and investigating it as well as how this policy will be communicated.

• General Laws of Massachusetts 71.37o School bullying prohibited; bullying prevention and intervention plans; reporting of bullying incident date.

https://law.justia.com/codes/massachusetts/2020/part-i/title-xii/chapter-71/section-37o/

• 603 CMR 49.04. Bullying and retaliation are prohibited.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/massachusetts/600-699-cmr/603/603-cmr-49/49-04/

603 Code of Massachusetts Regulations 49.05 Notice to Parents.

Upon investigation and determination that bullying or retaliation has occurred, the principal shall promptly notify the parents of the target and the aggressor of the determination and the school district or school’s procedures for responding to the bullying or retaliation.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/massachusetts/600-699-cmr/603/603-cmr-49/49-05/

603 CMR 49.04. Bullying and retaliation are prohibited.

Massachusetts anti-bullying laws cover conduct that occurs off-school property if the bullying;

• Creates a hostile environment at school for the target.
• Infringes on the rights of the target at school.
• Materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/massachusetts/600-699-cmr/603/603-cmr-49/49-04/

Who does this protect? Students, Teachers

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Massachusetts schools need to develop plans for dealing with emergencies and explain drills that need to take place during the school year.

• General Laws of Massachusetts 69.8a Medical emergency response plans; model plans. 

https://law.justia.com/codes/massachusetts/2020/part-i/title-xii/chapter-69/section-8a/

General Laws of Massachusetts 71.37p School Resource Officers.

Defines what a school resource officer is, explains how the process of appointing a school resource officer works and what is expected from them

https://law.justia.com/codes/massachusetts/2020/part-i/title-xii/chapter-71/section-37p/

General Laws of Massachusetts 71.37h Policies relative to the conduct of teachers or students; student handbooks.

Students and teachers are prohibited from possessing and bringing dangerous weapons and firearms on school property and school-sponsored events

https://law.justia.com/codes/massachusetts/2020/part-i/title-xii/chapter-71/section-37h/

Who does this protect? Students, Staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

General Laws of Massachusetts 69.1p Safe and Supportive Schools Framework.

Schools will create an environment that;

• Enables students to develop positive relationships with adults and peers, regulate their emotions and behavior, achieve academic and non-academic success in school, and maintain physical and psychological health and well-being.
• Integrates services and aligns initiatives that promote students’ behavioral health, including social and emotional learning, bullying prevention, trauma sensitivity, dropout prevention, truancy reduction, children’s mental health, foster care, and homeless youth education, the inclusion of students with disabilities, positive behavioral approaches that reduce suspensions and expulsions and other similar initiatives.

https://law.justia.com/codes/massachusetts/2020/part-i/title-xii/chapter-69/section-1p/

General Laws of Massachusetts 71.37o School bullying prohibited; bullying prevention and intervention plans; reporting of bullying incident date.

Schools need a strategy for providing counseling or referral to appropriate services for perpetrators and victims and appropriate family members of said students.

https://law.justia.com/codes/massachusetts/2020/part-i/title-xii/chapter-71/section-37o/

General Laws of Massachusetts 71.37q. Mental Health Support Plans.

Each school district, charter school, approved private day or residential school and collaborative school shall develop and adhere to a plan to address the general mental health needs of its students, including the students’ families, teachers, and school administrators.

https://law.justia.com/codes/massachusetts/2020/part-i/title-xii/chapter-71/section-37q/

Who does this protect? Students, Staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Massachusetts provides students with disabilities the accommodations and resources they need to have an appropriate education.

• General Laws of Massachusetts 71.2. Regulations; Special Education Programs; Pre-School Level Admission to Programs; Assignment of Child.

https://law.justia.com/codes/massachusetts/2020/part-i/title-xii/chapter-71b/section-2/

• General Laws of Massachusetts 71.3. Identification of School Age Children With a Disability; Diagnosis of Disability; Proposal of Program; Evaluations and Assessments of Child and Program.

https://law.justia.com/codes/massachusetts/2020/part-i/title-xii/chapter-71b/section-3/

• 603 CMR 28.05 The Team Process and Development of the IEP.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/massachusetts/600-699-cmr/603/603-cmr-28/28-05/

• 603 CMR 28.10 School district responsibility.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/massachusetts/600-699-cmr/603/603-cmr-28/28-10/

• 603 CMR 28.07 – Parent Involvement. 

https://regulations.justia.com/states/massachusetts/600-699-cmr/603/603-cmr-28/28-07/

General Laws of Massachusetts 71a.4. English language education.

All children in Massachusetts public schools who are not proficient in English shall be taught English through sheltered English immersion or an alternative instructional program that meets the requirements of federal and state law, during a temporary transition period.

https://law.justia.com/codes/massachusetts/2020/part-i/title-xii/chapter-71a/section-4/

Who does this protect? Students, Students with disabilities

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

General Laws of Massachusetts 71.2 Civics and History.

The department shall establish the commonwealth civics challenge where all eighth-grade public school students showcase student-led civics projects that promote and demonstrate an understanding of civic engagement, citizenship, and community service.

https://law.justia.com/codes/massachusetts/2020/part-i/title-xii/chapter-71/section-2/index.html

Who does this protect? Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

603 CMR 26.01 – Purpose and Construction; Definition.

Public schools of the Commonwealth should not discriminate against students based on race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation, and that all students have equal rights of access and equal enjoyment of the opportunities, advantages, privileges, and courses of study at such schools.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/massachusetts/600-699-cmr/603/603-cmr-26/26-01/

 General Laws of Massachusetts 71.37o School bullying prohibited; bullying prevention and intervention plans; reporting of bullying incident date.

When creating their anti-bullying policies schools need to recognize that certain students may be more vulnerable to becoming a target of bullying or harassment based on actual or perceived differentiating characteristics, including race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, socioeconomic status, homelessness, academic status, gender identity or expression, physical appearance, pregnant or parenting status, sexual orientation, mental, physical, developmental or sensory disability

https://law.justia.com/codes/massachusetts/2020/part-i/title-xii/chapter-71/section-37o/

Who does this protect? Students, Parents

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

General Laws of Massachusetts 71.37p School Resource Officers.

School recourse officers will receive training in child and adolescent development, conflict resolution, and diversion strategies.

https://law.justia.com/codes/massachusetts/2020/part-i/title-xii/chapter-71/section-37p/

General Laws of Massachusetts 71.95. Suicide awareness and prevention training.

The department, subject to appropriation, shall adopt rules to require that all public school districts and commonwealth charter schools provide at least 2 hours of suicide awareness and prevention training every 3 years to all licensed school personnel.

https://law.justia.com/codes/massachusetts/2020/part-i/title-xii/chapter-71/section-95/

General Laws of Massachusetts 15.58 Leadership Academy; Training of School Principals.

The board shall establish a unit designated as the leadership academy which shall provide training to school principals and other supervisory personnel on topics like techniques for developing cooperative relationships with parents and community organizations, school-based management skills, and curriculum development

https://law.justia.com/codes/massachusetts/2020/part-i/title-ii/chapter-15/section-58/

General Laws of Massachusetts 69.1p Safe and supportive schools framework.

To create a safe and supportive school environment the commission will identify and recommend evidenced-based training programs and professional development for school staff on addressing students’ behavioral health and creating safe and supportive learning environments

https://law.justia.com/codes/massachusetts/2020/part-i/title-xii/chapter-69/section-1p/index.html

603 CMR 35.03. Standards and Indicators of Effective Teaching Practice.

• Cultural Proficiency Indicator- Actively creates and maintains an environment in which students’ diverse backgrounds, identities, strengths, and challenges are respected
• Professional Culture Standard-Promotes the learning and growth of all students through ethical, culturally proficient, skilled, and collaborative practice

https://regulations.justia.com/states/massachusetts/600-699-cmr/603/603-cmr-35/35-03/

Who does this protect? Staff, Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

General Laws of Massachusetts 71.37o School bullying prohibited; bullying prevention and intervention plans; reporting of bullying incident date.

Schools need a strategy for providing counseling or referral to appropriate services for perpetrators and victims and appropriate family members of said students.

https://law.justia.com/codes/massachusetts/2020/part-i/title-xii/chapter-71/section-37o/ 

 603 Code of Massachusetts Regulations 53.05 Alternatives to Suspension.

Alternatives may include the use of evidence-based strategies and programs such as mediation, conflict resolution, restorative justice, and positive interventions and support.

https://regulations.justia.com/states/massachusetts/600-699-cmr/603/603-cmr-53/53-05/

Who does this protect? Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

There is currently no policy surrounding School Connectiveness in Massachusetts. For more information on school climate please visit us at Services – National School Climate Center

Who does this protect? N/A

Massachusetts schools need to develop plans for dealing with emergencies and explain drills that need to take place during the school year.

• General Laws of Massachusetts 69.8a Medical emergency response plans; model plans. 

https://law.justia.com/codes/massachusetts/2020/part-i/title-xii/chapter-69/section-8a/

General Laws of Massachusetts 71.37p School Resource Officers.

Defines what a school resource officer is, explains how the process of appointing a school resource officer works and what is expected from them.

https://law.justia.com/codes/massachusetts/2020/part-i/title-xii/chapter-71/section-37p/

General Laws of Massachusetts 71.37h Policies relative to the conduct of teachers or students; student handbooks.

Students and teachers are prohibited from possessing and bringing dangerous weapons and firearms on school property and school-sponsored events

https://law.justia.com/codes/massachusetts/2020/part-i/title-xii/chapter-71/section-37h/

Who does this protect? Students, Staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

There is no current policy surrounding Social Inclusion in the state of Massachusetts. For more information on school climate please visit us at Services – National School Climate Center

Bill S.2355 An Act to promote and enhance civic engagement.

Media literacy skills will be taught to students as it relates to history and civic engagement.

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S2355/Amendments/Senate

Who does this protect? Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

There is currently no policy surrounding Leadership in Massachusetts. For more information on school climate please visit us at Services – National School

There is currently no policy surrounding Professional Relations in Massachusetts. For more information on school climate please visit us at Services – National School