1 of 1
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2155 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 361
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Barry R. Finegold
_________________
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 providing for a study of chronic student absences.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Barry R. FinegoldSecond Essex and Middlesex 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2155 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 361
By Mr. Finegold, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 361) of Barry R. Finegold for
legislation to conduct a study into the causes and remedies for frequent student absences in the
public schools. Education.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
_______________
An Act providing for a study of chronic student absences.
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. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the department
2of elementary and secondary education shall conduct a study into the causes of and remedies for
3frequent student absences in the public schools of the commonwealth. The study shall include,
4but not be limited to, an analysis of: (i) disparities, if any, in rates of absenteeism based on
5region, socioeconomic status or student age; (ii) disparities, if any, in rates of absenteeism
6between students enrolled in a career pathway program, as opposed to a program of general
7education; (iii) common causes of absences among students missing not less than 7 school days
8in an academic year; and (iv) causes of absences, if any, that are specific to the commonwealth
9or individual regions of the commonwealth. As part of the study, the department shall consult
10with the department of transitional assistance, the department of children and families, the
11Massachusetts Teachers Association, the Massachusetts Federation of Teachers, the
12Massachusetts Charter Public School Association, public school districts located in gateway
13cities and public school districts with above average student populations missing not less than 10 2 of 2
14per cent of school days according to the most recent end of year attendance report compiled by
15the department. The department shall report on its findings and submit any recommendations to
16the clerks of the house and senate and the joint committee on education no later than 180 days
17after enactment; provided, however, that the secretary of education may grant up to 1 extension
18of not more than 90 days.
19 SECTION 2. Section 1 shall take effect upon enactment.