Schools
Funding an Issue for State's School Discipline Law
A law that requires schools to continue learning for suspended or expelled students comes with a cost—but no certainty it will be funded by the state.
A new Massachusetts law that requires schools to ensure students can still learn when they're suspended or expelled has raised questions about the cost it'll take to do so.
According to Chapter 222, "Any school district that suspends or expels a student under this section shall continue to provide educational services to the student during the period of suspension or expulsion."
The Lowell Sun noted that the law followed a state report looking into connections between suspensions and dropout rates, and it also had the support of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents.
But, according to Education Week , "many districts are citing the law as an unfunded mandate." That's because the state hasn't indicated whether funds will be allocated to cover the costs associated with the law.
"Superintendents are very supportive of the intent of the law, they believe that youngsters should not be excluded from a continuation of education," said Tom Scott, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, in an interview with Education Week. "The obvious concern is what is going to be the ultimate cost and who bears that cost?"
TELL US: What do you think about the new law, and should the state allocate funding for it?
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