Student Policy Goals

Active Efforts

(1)     The School Committee of each school district shall establish policies, promote regulations and procedures, and implement monitoring and evaluation practices that support and promote affirmative action and stimulate necessary changes to ensure that all obstacles to equal access to school programs for all persons regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or limited English-speaking ability, no matter how subtle or unintended are removed.  Such policies shall include a requirement for an annual evaluation of all aspects of the pre-K through 12 school program to ensure that all students regardless of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, disability, pregnancy or a related condition, veteran status, age, or homelessness  or limited English-speaking ability are given an opportunity to develop skills, competence, and experience, and to receive appropriate guidance so that they may be able to participate in all programs offered by the school including athletics and other extra-curricular activities.  Special attention shall be given in this examination to schools and programs in which students of either sex or of racial or national origin groups present in the community are markedly under represented.

(2)     The School Committee shall make active efforts to ensure that equal access to all school sponsored programs or activities be provided within the system regardless of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, disability, pregnancy or a related condition, veteran status, age, or homelessness .

(3)     It shall be the responsibility of the School Committee and the Superintendent to provide necessary information and in-service training for all school personnel in order to:

(a)     advance means of achieving educational goals in a manner free from discrimination on account of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, disability, pregnancy or a related condition, veteran status, age, or homelessness .

(b)     enhance consciousness of the kinds of discriminatory and prejudicial practices and behavior which may occur in the public schools.

(4)     The Superintendent, as an agent of the School Committee, shall promote and direct effective procedures for the full implementation of 603 CMR 26.00, and shall make recommendations to the Committee for the necessary policies, program changes, and budget resource allocations needed to achieve adherence to 603 CMR 26.00.

At the beginning of the school year, the Superintendent shall be responsible for sending to the parent/guardians of all school age children, in their primary language, a notice of the existence of S. 1971 c.622 and its implications.  Such notice shall include the information that all courses of study, extra-curricular activities, and services offered by the school are available without regard to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, disability, pregnancy or a related condition, veteran status, age, or homelessness .  This notice may be included with other communications sent to parent/guardians by the school system.

Upon request, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall provide a translation in requested languages to assist Superintendents in complying with this section.  The Superintendent shall inform the community of the existence of the law and of its implications through newspaper releases or radio, television announcements and district web site.

(6)     The Superintendent shall ensure that all students are annually informed in a manner certain to reach them of the existence of S. 1971, c.622 and its implications.  Students shall be informed that all courses of study, extra-curricular activities, services, and facilities offered by the school are available without regard to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, disability, pregnancy or a related condition, veteran status, age, or homelessness.

(7)     The Superintendent shall make certain that those who recruit new employees in and through the schools of the district, do not discriminate on account of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, disability, pregnancy or a related condition, veteran status, age, or homelessness  in their hiring and recruitment practices within the schools.

(8)     School authorities shall utilize adults in a variety of jobs, and as members of policy-making committees, to the extent consistent with their contractual obligations, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, disability, pregnancy or a related condition, veteran status, age, or homelessness.

(9)     Any contributions to a school for activities and monetary awards within or sponsored by the school or for scholarships administered by the school made after the effective date of 603 CMR 26.00 by any person, group or organization shall be free from any restrictions based upon race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, disability, pregnancy or a related condition, veteran status, age, or homelessness.

(10)    In the event an English as a second language program is established, the opportunity to receive guidance and counseling in a student's primary language will also be made available to students from homes where English is not the primary language spoken.

LEGAL REF.:     603 CMR 26:00

Reviewed, revised 2/7/12

Reviewed, revised 818/16

Reviewed, Revised 5/1/2018