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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2046 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 734
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Andres X. Vargas and Manny Cruz
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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 fulfilling the promise of education reform.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Andres X. Vargas3rd Essex1/15/2025Manny Cruz7th Essex1/15/2025Paul McMurtry11th Norfolk3/3/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2046 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 734
By Representatives Vargas of Haverhill and Cruz of Salem, a petition (accompanied by bill,
House, No. 734) of Andres X. Vargas, Manny Cruz and Paul McMurtry for legislation to
establish a special commission (including members of the General Court) to be known as the
promise commission to conduct an ongoing study of all matters concerning education in the 21st
century. Education.
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 fulfilling the promise of education reform.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the Legislature shall establish
2a commission, hereafter referred to as “the Promise Commission”, the purpose of which is to
3study the current status, structures, future vision and needs of public education. Said commission
4shall develop a plan to align the Commonwealth’s expectations for public education in the next
5decade with demonstrable evidence that students have developed the necessary competencies to
6succeed in an ever-evolving world.
7 SECTION 1. The Promise Commission shall consist of eleven (11) members appointed
8as follows: House Speaker or a designee, the Senate President or a designee, the Commissioner
9of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Commissioner of Early Education and Care, the
10Commissioner of Higher Education, a member appointed by the Massachusetts Association of
11School Superintendents, a member appointed by the Massachusetts Association of School 2 of 2
12Committees, a member appointed by the Massachusetts affiliate of the American Federation of
13Teachers, a member appointed by the Massachusetts Teachers Association, a member appointed
14by the Massachusetts Education Equity Partnership, and a Massachusetts based member
15appointed by Latinos for Education.
16 SECTION 2. The Commission shall conduct an ongoing study of all matters concerning
17education in the 21st Century, including but not limited to: educator pipeline (including
18recruitment, career development, and retention); educator diversity; improved reputation and
19perception of the profession; curriculum and course of studies that meet the needs of students in
20a global society regarding technology; flexible learning models beyond traditional “seat time;”
21multilingualism as an asset and an aspiration; multiple modes of assessing learning beyond
22MCAS; identifying valid and credible high school competency determination paths and methods;
23broader methods used for accountability that are ambitious, attainable, and compassionate;
24reexamination of charter schools as part of the accountability system; and structures that take
25students from pre-K through college and provide the wrap-around social/emotional and
26education coaching at each age. With these and other goals, the Commission will dive deep into
27best practices found in other states and other countries.
28 SECTION 3.The Promise Commission shall develop a comprehensive report that
29reenvisions the power and potential of the Massachusetts education system for all students who
30are in our schools and who will be in our schools for years to come.
31 SECTION 4. Said commission shall report its findings to the secretary of education, the
32clerks of the house and senate,and the committees on ways and means and education arts and
33humanities by no later than March 1, 2026