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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1247 FILED ON: 1/14/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 624
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Michael P. Kushmerek
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to teacher pathways and educator diversity.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Michael P. Kushmerek3rd Worcester1/14/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1247 FILED ON: 1/14/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 624
By Representative Kushmerek of Fitchburg, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 624) of
Michael P. Kushmerek that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education develop an
accelerated, tuition-free teacher occupational apprenticeship program. Education.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 528 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act relative to teacher pathways and educator diversity.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 38G of said chapter 71 of General Laws is hereby further amended
2by inserting after line 60, the following paragraph:-
3 “Teacher Apprentice”, a paid individual who has been selected by a school district to
4train alongside staff while pursuing an accelerated bachelor’s degree program in arts or sciences
5from an accredited college or university with a major course appropriate to the instructional field
6and has been recommended by eligible educators for employment.
7 SECTION 2. Notwithstanding any general law or special law to the contrary, the
8department of elementary and secondary education shall, subject to appropriation, develop an
9accelerated, tuition-free teacher occupational apprenticeship program during which participants 2 of 2
10will be recommended by eligible educators for employment and complete a paid teaching
11apprenticeship for three years. This apprenticeship program shall provide a progressive wage as
12the students in this program gain experience and complete their teaching degree.