Massachusetts Chapter 71 — Public Schools

223 sections hosted, reproduced from the official public-domain source.

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 1— Maintenance; double sessions; subjects; twelve-month school year
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 1A— Period of silence
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 1B— Voluntary prayer
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 1C— Workshops on rights of students and their parents under special education laws of the commonwealth and the federal government
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 1D— Prohibition of adoption or implementation of policy or code in sports or athletic events that impairs or prohibits hairstyle historically associated with race
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 2— Teaching of history and social science; professional development; student-led civic projects; commonwealth civics challenge
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 2A— Use of tobacco products within school buildings or facilities or on school grounds
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 2B— Courses in American sign language
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 2C— Implementation of policy and discipline code addressing teen dating violence in public schools
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 3— Physical education
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 4— High schools; maintenance; diplomas awarded to veterans
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 4A— Failure to keep schools open for required period; penalty
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 5— Repealed, 1948, 643, Sec. 2
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 6— Education in out-of-town high schools
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 6A— Admission of students from outside commonwealth
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 6B— A military-connected student school enrollment
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 7— Repealed, 1947, 679, Sec. 5
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 7A— Transportation of pupils; payment of costs; limitations
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 7B— Transportation of pupils; reimbursement of costs; determination of amount; use of funds
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 7C— Bus transportation programs; financial assistance
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 10— Expenses of physically disabled children
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 11— High school; definition
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 12— Repealed, 1969, 254, Sec. 6
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 13— Requested courses; school committee approval
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 13D— High schools; required subjects; driver training
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 13E— Repealed, 1972, 215, Sec. 2
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 13F— Broadcast and television facilities; cost of program; executive committee for educational television
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 13G— Executive committee for educational television; rules and regulations; personnel
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 13H— Educational television program fund; accounts and reports
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 13I— Executive committee for educational television; powers and duties
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 14— Regional school district planning committee; creation; membership
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 14A— Duties of planning board
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 14B— Regional school districts; formation; procedure
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 14C— Lease or sale of property to regional school districts
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 14D— Regional school district planning board; agreement; approval of indebtedness
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 14E— Regional school district committee membership options
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 15— Acceptance of organization provisions by electorate
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 16— Regional school districts; status; powers and duties
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 16A— Regional district school committee; selection, powers and duties of officers; signing of payroll and accounts payable warrants; audits
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 16B— Budgets; apportionment of expenses
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 16C— Regional school districts; school transportation
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 16D— Aid from state
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 16E— Regional school districts; audits; payment of costs
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 16F— Retirement system
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 16G— Liability of towns for expenses of district
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 16H— Repealed, 2003, 46, Sec. 80
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 16I— Severability of sections relating to regional school districts
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 17— Repealed, 1991, 138, Sec. 336
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 17A— Culinary arts program; special fund
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 18— Evening schools
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 19— Evening classes in high schools
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 20— Notice of evening schools; publication; fees for instruction
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 20A— Instructional Materials Trust Fund
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 21— Continuation schools; establishment; conditions
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 22— Attendance
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 23— Use of existing educational facilities
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 24— Cost of maintenance; source of funds
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 25— Unemployed minors; attendance requirements
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 26— Penalty for failure to establish or maintain school
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 26A— Extended school services for children; establishment; conditions
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 26B— Extended school services for children; organization and operation of plan
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 26C— Extended school services for children; contributions and federal funds; use
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 26D— Borrowing in anticipation of federal funds
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 26E— Repealed, 1978, 367, Sec. 70E
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 26F— Repealed, 1966, 14, Sec. 52
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 27— Lectures
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 28— Summer schools
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 29— Repealed, 1979, 717, Sec. 3
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 30— Moral education
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 30A— Repealed, 1986, 195
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 31— Bible reading
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 31A— Guidelines for celebration of holidays authorized
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 32— Observance of Memorial Day
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 32A— Sex education; policy regarding notice to parents, exception
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 33— Repealed, 1979, 439, Sec. 1
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 34— Support of schools; appropriations; recommendations
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 34A— Transcript of student's record; availability
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 34B— Remedy for failure to furnish transcript of student's record
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 34C— Repealed, 1965, 43
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 34D— Student records; maintenance, storage, destruction, etc.; inspection by parent or guardian
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 34E— Inspection of student records; persons authorized
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 34F— Repealed, 1976, 50, Sec. 2
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 34G— Private schools; transfer of transcripts upon ceasing operation
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 34H— Noncustodial parents; receipt of information for child enrolled in public elementary or secondary schools; notice to custodial parent
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 35— Beginning of term
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 36— Secretary; appointment; duties
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 36A— Orientation for school committee members
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 37— Powers and duties; superintendent serving joint districts
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 37A— Grants; acceptance and disbursement
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 37B— Purchase of or making payments to annuities or investments
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 37C— Promotion of racial balance
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 37D— Racial imbalance; definitions; statistics; transfers; priorities; plans for elimination; public hearings; regulations; jurisdiction; costs; attorney's fees
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 37E— Legal counsel for collective bargaining
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 37F— Legal counsel for general purposes
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 37G— Corporal punishment of pupils prohibited; use of physical restraint; regulations
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 37H— Policies relative to conduct of teachers or students; student handbooks
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 37I— Magnet school facilities; grants; application; approval; agreements; eligible costs; regulations
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 37J— Magnet educational programs; reimbursement for cost; definition; contracts; joining programs
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 37K— Business demonstration projects; disposition of proceeds
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 37L— Notification to school personnel of reporting requirements for child abuse and neglect and fires; reports of students possessing or using dangerous weapons on school premises; transferred students' school records
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 37M— Consolidation of administrative functions with city or town
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 37N— Policy for school-sponsored student travel
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 37O— School bullying prohibited; bullying prevention and intervention plans; reporting of bullying incident date
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 37P— School resource officers; model school resource officer memorandum of understanding; review commission; assignment of officers
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 37Q— Mental health support plans
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 37R— Possession and access to two-way communication device for communicating with police and fire departments during emergency situation
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 38— Employment of teachers, aides, principals, etc.; designation of Horace Mann teachers; performance evaluations; performance standards
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 38A— Duties; appointment of director of occupational guidance, duties of director
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 38B— Repealed, 1978, 367, Sec. 70E
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 38C— Status of director of occupational guidance
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 38D— District directors of occupational guidance; appointment
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 38E— Repealed, 1978, 367, Sec. 70E
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 38F— Fees for services of directors of occupational guidance; prohibition; penalty for violation
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 38G— Certification for certain teaching and administrative positions; provisional and standard certificates; policies and guidelines regarding requirements and qualifications; applications; recommendations; review; continuing education; renewal of certificate
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 38H— School librarian and school library supervisor or co-ordinator; tenure
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 38I— Reimbursement of teachers for tuitions and fees
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 38J— Repealed, 1995, 209, Sec. 2
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 38K— Public relations bureau in school departments; establishment
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 38L— Repealed, 1978, 512, Sec. 12
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 38M— Student advisory committees
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 38N— Proposed annual budgets; public hearings required; quorum
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 38O— Sex education advisory committees
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 38P— School psychologists; tenure
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 38Q— Professional development plans; statewide assistance plan
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 38R— Criminal background check of current or prospective school employee, volunteer, or other persons having direct and unmonitored contact with children; criminal offender record information; state and national fingerprint-based criminal background checks
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 39— Teacher's application forms; questions concerning religion or politics
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 40— Compensation of teachers; deferred payment
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 41— Tenure of teachers and superintendents; persons entitled to professional teacher status; dismissal; review
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 41A— Leaves of absence of professional staff
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 41B— Leaves of absence; Peace Corps
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 42— Dismissal or demotion of teachers or other employees of school or school district; arbitration
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 42A— Repealed, 1993, 71, Sec. 45
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 42B— Rights of school employees in regional districts
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 42C— Records of teachers; inspection
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 42D— Suspension of district employees
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 43— Reduction of salaries; conditions
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 44— Restrictions on teachers' political rights; prohibition
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 45— Procurement of teaching positions; regulation of fees; penalty for violation
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 46C— Repealed, 1968, 352, Sec. 2
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 46G— Repealed, 1995, 209, Sec. 4
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 47— Athletic programs; school organizations; student activity accounts
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 47A— Athletic coaches; employment
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 48— Textbooks and school supplies
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 48A— School safety patrols; functions, limitations; liability
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 48B— Uniforms of school employees
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 49— Purchase of textbooks by pupils
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 49A— Orders for materials and equipment; contracts for services
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 50— Change of school books
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 51— Exhibition of school work at expositions
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 52— Compensation of school committee members
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 53— School physicians and nurses
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 53A— Employment of medical personnel by superintendency district or union; compensation; removal
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 53B— Towns within a superintendency district or union; exemption from appointment requirement
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 54— Examination of children and school personnel
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 54A— Physician or person trained in emergency medical care; assignment to interscholastic football games
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 54B— Administration of medications in school settings; regulations
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 54C— Automated external defibrillators required at school facilities; certified AED providers; hardship waivers; personal liability; regulations
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 55— Contagious diseases; regulations
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 55A— Sick, injured or incapacitated pupils; procedure for handling; emergency first aid or transportation; exemption from civil liability
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 55B— Repealed, 2003, 46, Sec. 81
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 55C— Eye protective devices
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 55D— Musical wind instruments; notification of sanitization and option to sterilize at parental expense
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 56— Sick children; notification of parents
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 57— Physical examination of pupils; eye examination, written report
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 57A— Students with potential indicators of a neurological learning disability; guidelines for development of screening procedures
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 58— Repealed, 1945, 543, Sec. 1
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 59— Superintendent of schools; appointment; compensation; powers and duties
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 59A— Superintendents of schools in small towns; appointment; state aid for compensation
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 59B— Principals; appointment; compensation; duties; appointment of other personnel
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 59C— School councils; members; meetings; duties
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 59D— School-community partnerships; grant program
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 60— Repealed, 1969, 254, Sec. 6
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 61— Superintendent of schools; employment by a town union; termination of town participation in a union
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 62— Readjustment of town unions
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 63— School committees as joint committee; representation: meetings; employment of superintendent, removal
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 64— Union superintendent; compensation
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 65— Repealed, 1978, 367, Sec. 70E
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 66— Repealed, 1958, 241
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 67— Superintendents of schools; penalty for accepting fees for obtaining positions; employment of immediate family of certain persons prohibited
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 68— Duties of towns to maintain schools; transportation of children; school building committee representation
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 69— Display of national flags; pledge of allegiance; penalty for violation
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 69A— Plaque reading ''For God and Country''; placement on public school buildings
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 70— Location of schools
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 71— Use of school property; purposes
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 71A— Highway safety stations; designation, discontinuance
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 71B— Adult physical fitness programs
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 71C— Community school programs; receipts; deposit and expenditure
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 71D— Prepayment of tuition to private schools or program sources
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 71E— Appropriations for and expenditure of receipts from adult education and continuing education programs
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 71F— Nonresident or foster care students; deposit of tuition payments and state reimbursements; expenditures and appropriations
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 72— Sale of lunches
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 72A— Implementation the federal community eligibility provision; waiver; training; certification of students for free school meal status
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 72B— Repealed, 2023, 28, Sec. 37, eff. July 1, 2023
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 73— Closing of school for teachers' meetings
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 74— Management of schools funds by private corporations
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 75— Extended courses of instruction
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 76— Rules of admission
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 77— Joint establishment of extended courses
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 78— Repealed, 1978, 367, Sec. 70E
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 79— Junior College designation, degrees
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 80— Lunch period for teachers
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 81— Junior colleges; restriction on establishment
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 82— Public secondary schools; right of students to freedom of expression; limitations; definitions
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 83— Dress and appearance of students protected
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 84— Discipline of students on matters unrelated to school-sponsored activities prohibited
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 85— Guidelines implementing Secs. 82 to 84; rules and regulations; adoption; emergencies; procedures
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 86— Application of Secs. 83 to 85
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 87— Intelligence test scores; records
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 88— Military recruiters; on-campus recruiting opportunities
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 89— Commonwealth charter schools; Horace Mann charter schools; applications; enrollment; employees; funding
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 90— Classroom placement of twins or higher order multiples
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 91— Recovery High School; definition; enrollment; student performance; rules and regulations; deduction of home school district allotment for failure to transfer funds as required
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 92— Innovation Schools
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 93— Policy regarding internet safety measures for schools providing computer access to students
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 94— Commonwealth virtual schools
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 95— Reimbursement aid to municipalities for costs incurred for federal military reservation students
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 96— Substance use prevention and abuse education policies for public schools
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 97— Verbal screening tool for substance abuse disorders
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 98— Instruction on the history of genocide
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 98A— Provision of resources relative to antisemitism and societal bias
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 99— Purple Star Campuses
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 100— Age-appropriate media literacy skills instruction in schools; use of content from educational diversion program
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 101— Diversity, equity and inclusion officer or diversity team