By Bob Katzen

Bill (H 659) – Would require school districts, at the beginning of each school years to provide parents or guardians of students from kindergarten through twelfth grade information about each standardized assessment test that will be given during that school year including the date of the assessment; the estimated time a student will take to complete each assessment; whether students will be required to take assessments online, or have the option of paper and pencil; and the availability of appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities and English language learners, which will be translated for non-English speaking parents into their preferred language.

“I filed this bill to continue the work that the commonwealth is doing to make our education system more equitable,” said sponsor Rep. Liz Malia (D-Boston). “If my time in the Legislature has taught me anything, it’s patience. Thousands of bills are filed each session, and only several hundred are signed into law. Malia, who is not seeking re-election, said she will partner with her fellow legislators to make sure that her legislative priorities get new sponsors in the 2023-2024 session.