The bill mandates the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to report to the Legislature on the implementation and oversight of the Student Opportunity Act (SOA) Plans for the fiscal years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. It emphasizes the development of three-year plans by school districts aimed at closing achievement gaps for historically underserved student groups, including English learners and students with disabilities. The report will include a new SOA Dashboard for public access to district plans, updates on budget expenditures, and metrics for measuring progress. It highlights the importance of stakeholder engagement and evidence-based practices to improve educational outcomes, with a significant increase in Chapter 70 funding expected by 2027 to support districts facing challenges.

Additionally, the bill outlines the DESE's commitment to tracking educational outcomes, particularly chronic absenteeism, and introduces new legal language to monitor achievement targets for both non-high school and high school students, focusing on the lowest performing groups. It details plans for the development of new three-year gap-closing plans, the introduction of a Student Outcomes Comparison Tool, and a streamlined data collection process. The bill also emphasizes the need for districts to implement high-quality evidence-based practices and adapt strategies to support specific student groups, while ensuring equitable access to educational resources. Overall, the legislation aims to create a more equitable and supportive educational environment for all students, particularly those with disabilities and multilingual learners.