PUBLIC SCHOOLS
M.G.L. pt. Part I, tit. Title XII, ch. c. 71
in effectContents
sectionc. 71, § 1. Maintenance; double sessions; subjects; twelve-month school yearsectionc. 71, § 1A. Period of silencesectionc. 71, § 1B. Voluntary prayersectionc. 71, § 1C. Workshops on rights of students and their parents under special education laws of the commonwealth and the federal governmentsectionc. 71, § 1D. Prohibition of adoption or implementation of policy or code in sports or athletic events that impairs or prohibits hairstyle historically associated with racesectionc. 71, § 2. Teaching of history and social science; professional development; student-led civic projects; commonwealth civics challengesectionc. 71, § 2A. Use of tobacco products within school buildings or facilities or on school groundssectionc. 71, § 2B. Courses in American sign languagesectionc. 71, § 2C. Implementation of policy and discipline code addressing teen dating violence in public schoolssectionc. 71, § 3. Physical educationsectionc. 71, § 4. High schools; maintenance; diplomas awarded to veteranssectionc. 71, § 4A. Failure to keep schools open for required period; penaltysectionc. 71, § 6. Education in out-of-town high schoolssectionc. 71, § 6A. Admission of students from outside commonwealthsectionc. 71, § 6B. A military-connected student school enrollmentsectionc. 71, § 7A. Transportation of pupils; payment of costs; limitationssectionc. 71, § 7B. Transportation of pupils; reimbursement of costs; determination of amount; use of fundssectionc. 71, § 7C. Bus transportation programs; financial assistancesectionc. 71, § 10. Expenses of physically disabled childrensectionc. 71, § 11. High school; definitionsectionc. 71, § 13. Requested courses; school committee approvalsectionc. 71, § 13D. High schools; required subjects; driver trainingsectionc. 71, § 13F. Broadcast and television facilities; cost of program; executive committee for educational televisionsectionc. 71, § 13G. Executive committee for educational television; rules and regulations; personnelsectionc. 71, § 13H. Educational television program fund; accounts and reportssectionc. 71, § 13I. Executive committee for educational television; powers and dutiessectionc. 71, § 14. Regional school district planning committee; creation; membershipsectionc. 71, § 14A. Duties of planning boardsectionc. 71, § 14B. Regional school districts; formation; proceduresectionc. 71, § 14C. Lease or sale of property to regional school districtssectionc. 71, § 14D. Regional school district planning board; agreement; approval of indebtednesssectionc. 71, § 14E. Regional school district committee membership optionssectionc. 71, § 15. Acceptance of organization provisions by electoratesectionc. 71, § 16. Regional school districts; status; powers and dutiessectionc. 71, § 16A. Regional district school committee; selection, powers and duties of officers; signing of payroll and accounts payable warrants; auditssectionc. 71, § 16B. Budgets; apportionment of expensessectionc. 71, § 16B1/2. Excess and deficiency fund; surplus funds used to reduce assessmentssectionc. 71, § 16C. Regional school districts; school transportationsectionc. 71, § 16D. Aid from statesectionc. 71, § 16D1/2. Monies received as nonresident tuition or reimbursements from commonwealth for foster care childrensectionc. 71, § 16E. Regional school districts; audits; payment of costssectionc. 71, § 16F. Retirement systemsectionc. 71, § 16G. Liability of towns for expenses of districtsectionc. 71, § 16G1/2. Stabilization fundsectionc. 71, § 16I. Severability of sections relating to regional school districtssectionc. 71, § 17A. Culinary arts program; special fundsectionc. 71, § 18. Evening schoolssectionc. 71, § 19. Evening classes in high schoolssectionc. 71, § 20. Notice of evening schools; publication; fees for instructionsectionc. 71, § 20A. Instructional Materials Trust Fundsectionc. 71, § 21. Continuation schools; establishment; conditionssectionc. 71, § 22. Attendancesectionc. 71, § 23. Use of existing educational facilitiessectionc. 71, § 24. Cost of maintenance; source of fundssectionc. 71, § 25. Unemployed minors; attendance requirementssectionc. 71, § 26. Penalty for failure to establish or maintain schoolsectionc. 71, § 26A. Extended school services for children; establishment; conditionssectionc. 71, § 26B. Extended school services for children; organization and operation of plansectionc. 71, § 26C. Extended school services for children; contributions and federal funds; usesectionc. 71, § 26D. Borrowing in anticipation of federal fundssectionc. 71, § 27. Lecturessectionc. 71, § 28. Summer schoolssectionc. 71, § 30. Moral educationsectionc. 71, § 31. Bible readingsectionc. 71, § 31A. Guidelines for celebration of holidays authorizedsectionc. 71, § 32. Observance of Memorial Daysectionc. 71, § 32A. Sex education; policy regarding notice to parents, exceptionsectionc. 71, § 34. Support of schools; appropriations; recommendationssectionc. 71, § 34A. Transcript of student's record; availabilitysectionc. 71, § 34B. Remedy for failure to furnish transcript of student's recordsectionc. 71, § 34D. Student records; maintenance, storage, destruction, etc.; inspection by parent or guardiansectionc. 71, § 34E. Inspection of student records; persons authorizedsectionc. 71, § 34G. Private schools; transfer of transcripts upon ceasing operationsectionc. 71, § 34H. Noncustodial parents; receipt of information for child enrolled in public elementary or secondary schools; notice to custodial parentsectionc. 71, § 35. Beginning of termsectionc. 71, § 36. Secretary; appointment; dutiessectionc. 71, § 36A. Orientation for school committee memberssectionc. 71, § 37. Powers and duties; superintendent serving joint districtssectionc. 71, § 37A. Grants; acceptance and disbursementsectionc. 71, § 37B. Purchase of or making payments to annuities or investmentssectionc. 71, § 37C. Promotion of racial balancesectionc. 71, § 37D. Racial imbalance; definitions; statistics; transfers; priorities; plans for elimination; public hearings; regulations; jurisdiction; costs; attorney's feessectionc. 71, § 37E. Legal counsel for collective bargainingsectionc. 71, § 37F. Legal counsel for general purposessectionc. 71, § 37G. Corporal punishment of pupils prohibited; use of physical restraint; regulationssectionc. 71, § 37H. Policies relative to conduct of teachers or students; student handbookssectionc. 71, § 37H1/2. Felony complaint or conviction of student; suspension; expulsion; right to appealsectionc. 71, § 37H3/4. Suspension or expulsion on grounds other than those set forth in Secs. 37H or 37H1/2sectionc. 71, § 37I. Magnet school facilities; grants; application; approval; agreements; eligible costs; regulationssectionc. 71, § 37J. Magnet educational programs; reimbursement for cost; definition; contracts; joining programssectionc. 71, § 37K. Business demonstration projects; disposition of proceedssectionc. 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 recordssectionc. 71, § 37M. Consolidation of administrative functions with city or townsectionc. 71, § 37N. Policy for school-sponsored student travelsectionc. 71, § 37O. School bullying prohibited; bullying prevention and intervention plans; reporting of bullying incident datesectionc. 71, § 37P. School resource officers; model school resource officer memorandum of understanding; review commission; assignment of officerssectionc. 71, § 37Q. Mental health support planssectionc. 71, § 37R. Possession and access to two-way communication device for communicating with police and fire departments during emergency situationsectionc. 71, § 38. Employment of teachers, aides, principals, etc.; designation of Horace Mann teachers; performance evaluations; performance standardssectionc. 71, § 38A. Duties; appointment of director of occupational guidance, duties of directorsectionc. 71, § 38C. Status of director of occupational guidancesectionc. 71, § 38D. District directors of occupational guidance; appointmentsectionc. 71, § 38F. Fees for services of directors of occupational guidance; prohibition; penalty for violationsectionc. 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 certificatesectionc. 71, § 38G1/2. Specialist teacher endorsement in transition services; transition of students with disabilities to post-school activitiessectionc. 71, § 38G3/4. Guidelines to increase diversity among teaching, administration and staff positionssectionc. 71, § 38H. School librarian and school library supervisor or co-ordinator; tenuresectionc. 71, § 38I. Reimbursement of teachers for tuitions and feessectionc. 71, § 38K. Public relations bureau in school departments; establishmentsectionc. 71, § 38M. Student advisory committeessectionc. 71, § 38N. Proposed annual budgets; public hearings required; quorumsectionc. 71, § 38O. Sex education advisory committeessectionc. 71, § 38P. School psychologists; tenuresectionc. 71, § 38Q. Professional development plans; statewide assistance plansectionc. 71, § 38Q1/2. Curriculum accommodation plansectionc. 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 checkssectionc. 71, § 39. Teacher's application forms; questions concerning religion or politicssectionc. 71, § 40. Compensation of teachers; deferred paymentsectionc. 71, § 41. Tenure of teachers and superintendents; persons entitled to professional teacher status; dismissal; reviewsectionc. 71, § 41A. Leaves of absence of professional staffsectionc. 71, § 41B. Leaves of absence; Peace Corpssectionc. 71, § 42. Dismissal or demotion of teachers or other employees of school or school district; arbitrationsectionc. 71, § 42B. Rights of school employees in regional districtssectionc. 71, § 42C. Records of teachers; inspectionsectionc. 71, § 42D. Suspension of district employeessectionc. 71, § 43. Reduction of salaries; conditionssectionc. 71, § 44. Restrictions on teachers' political rights; prohibitionsectionc. 71, § 45. Procurement of teaching positions; regulation of fees; penalty for violationsectionc. 71, § 47. Athletic programs; school organizations; student activity accountssectionc. 71, § 47A. Athletic coaches; employmentsectionc. 71, § 48. Textbooks and school suppliessectionc. 71, § 48A. School safety patrols; functions, limitations; liabilitysectionc. 71, § 48B. Uniforms of school employeessectionc. 71, § 49. Purchase of textbooks by pupilssectionc. 71, § 49A. Orders for materials and equipment; contracts for servicessectionc. 71, § 50. Change of school bookssectionc. 71, § 51. Exhibition of school work at expositionssectionc. 71, § 52. Compensation of school committee memberssectionc. 71, § 53. School physicians and nursessectionc. 71, § 53A. Employment of medical personnel by superintendency district or union; compensation; removalsectionc. 71, § 53B. Towns within a superintendency district or union; exemption from appointment requirementsectionc. 71, § 54. Examination of children and school personnelsectionc. 71, § 54A. Physician or person trained in emergency medical care; assignment to interscholastic football gamessectionc. 71, § 54B. Administration of medications in school settings; regulationssectionc. 71, § 54C. Automated external defibrillators required at school facilities; certified AED providers; hardship waivers; personal liability; regulationssectionc. 71, § 55. Contagious diseases; regulationssectionc. 71, § 55A. Sick, injured or incapacitated pupils; procedure for handling; emergency first aid or transportation; exemption from civil liabilitysectionc. 71, § 55C. Eye protective devicessectionc. 71, § 55D. Musical wind instruments; notification of sanitization and option to sterilize at parental expensesectionc. 71, § 56. Sick children; notification of parentssectionc. 71, § 57. Physical examination of pupils; eye examination, written reportsectionc. 71, § 57A. Students with potential indicators of a neurological learning disability; guidelines for development of screening proceduressectionc. 71, § 59. Superintendent of schools; appointment; compensation; powers and dutiessectionc. 71, § 59A. Superintendents of schools in small towns; appointment; state aid for compensationsectionc. 71, § 59B. Principals; appointment; compensation; duties; appointment of other personnelsectionc. 71, § 59C. School councils; members; meetings; dutiessectionc. 71, § 59D. School-community partnerships; grant programsectionc. 71, § 61. Superintendent of schools; employment by a town union; termination of town participation in a unionsectionc. 71, § 62. Readjustment of town unionssectionc. 71, § 63. School committees as joint committee; representation: meetings; employment of superintendent, removalsectionc. 71, § 64. Union superintendent; compensationsectionc. 71, § 67. Superintendents of schools; penalty for accepting fees for obtaining positions; employment of immediate family of certain persons prohibitedsectionc. 71, § 68. Duties of towns to maintain schools; transportation of children; school building committee representationsectionc. 71, § 69. Display of national flags; pledge of allegiance; penalty for violationsectionc. 71, § 69A. Plaque reading ''For God and Country''; placement on public school buildingssectionc. 71, § 70. Location of schoolssectionc. 71, § 71. Use of school property; purposessectionc. 71, § 71A. Highway safety stations; designation, discontinuancesectionc. 71, § 71B. Adult physical fitness programssectionc. 71, § 71C. Community school programs; receipts; deposit and expendituresectionc. 71, § 71D. Prepayment of tuition to private schools or program sourcessectionc. 71, § 71E. Appropriations for and expenditure of receipts from adult education and continuing education programssectionc. 71, § 71F. Nonresident or foster care students; deposit of tuition payments and state reimbursements; expenditures and appropriationssectionc. 71, § 72. Sale of lunchessectionc. 71, § 72A. Implementation the federal community eligibility provision; waiver; training; certification of students for free school meal statussectionc. 71, § 73. Closing of school for teachers' meetingssectionc. 71, § 74. Management of schools funds by private corporationssectionc. 71, § 75. Extended courses of instructionsectionc. 71, § 76. Rules of admissionsectionc. 71, § 77. Joint establishment of extended coursessectionc. 71, § 79. Junior College designation, degreessectionc. 71, § 80. Lunch period for teacherssectionc. 71, § 81. Junior colleges; restriction on establishmentsectionc. 71, § 82. Public secondary schools; right of students to freedom of expression; limitations; definitionssectionc. 71, § 83. Dress and appearance of students protectedsectionc. 71, § 84. Discipline of students on matters unrelated to school-sponsored activities prohibitedsectionc. 71, § 85. Guidelines implementing Secs. 82 to 84; rules and regulations; adoption; emergencies; proceduressectionc. 71, § 86. Application of Secs. 83 to 85sectionc. 71, § 87. Intelligence test scores; recordssectionc. 71, § 88. Military recruiters; on-campus recruiting opportunitiessectionc. 71, § 89. Commonwealth charter schools; Horace Mann charter schools; applications; enrollment; employees; fundingsectionc. 71, § 90. Classroom placement of twins or higher order multiplessectionc. 71, § 91. Recovery High School; definition; enrollment; student performance; rules and regulations; deduction of home school district allotment for failure to transfer funds as requiredsectionc. 71, § 92. Innovation Schoolssectionc. 71, § 93. Policy regarding internet safety measures for schools providing computer access to studentssectionc. 71, § 94. Commonwealth virtual schoolssectionc. 71, § 95. Reimbursement aid to municipalities for costs incurred for federal military reservation studentssectionc. 71, § 96. Substance use prevention and abuse education policies for public schoolssectionc. 71, § 97. Verbal screening tool for substance abuse disorderssectionc. 71, § 98. Instruction on the history of genocidesectionc. 71, § 98A. Provision of resources relative to antisemitism and societal biassectionc. 71, § 99. Purple Star Campusessectionc. 71, § 100. Age-appropriate media literacy skills instruction in schools; use of content from educational diversion programsectionc. 71, § 101. Diversity, equity and inclusion officer or diversity teamsectionc. 71, § 11/2. Definitions; applicability of Sec. 2 of chapter 70
Source: Massachusetts General Court (malegislature.gov)URL: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXII/Chapter71Fetched: 10/20/2026