Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 603 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION › Title 603 CMR 26.00 - Access To Equal Educational Opportunity › Section 26.07 - Active Efforts

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
(1) The school
			 committee of each school district shall establish policies and procedures, and
			 implement monitoring and evaluation practices that insure that all obstacles to
			 equal access to school programs for all students regardless of race, color,
			 sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, limited English-speaking
			 ability or sexual orientation, are removed. Such policies shall include a
			 requirement for an annual evaluation of all aspects of the K through 12 school
			 program to insure that all students regardless of race, color, sex, gender
			 identity, religion, national origin or sexual orientation are given an
			 opportunity to participate in all programs offered by the school including
			 athletics and other extra-curricular activities.
(2) All public schools shall strive to
			 prevent harassment or discrimination based upon students' race, color, sex,
			 gender identity, religion, national origin or sexual orientation, and all
			 public schools shall respond promptly to such discrimination or harassment when
			 they have knowledge of its occurrence.
(3) The school committee and the
			 superintendent shall provide in-service training for all school personnel at
			 least annually regarding the prevention of discrimination and harassment based
			 upon race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin and sexual
			 orientation, and the appropriate methods for responding to such discrimination
			 and harassment in a school setting.
(4) The superintendent, as an agent of the
			 school committee, shall promote and direct effective procedures for the full
			 implementation of
			 603 CMR 26.00, and shall make
			 recommendations to the school committee for the necessary policies, program
			 changes, and budget resource allocations needed to achieve adherence to
			 603 CMR 26.00.
(5) The superintendent of each school system
			 shall require employers who recruit new employees in and through the schools of
			 that district to sign a statement that the employer complies with applicable
			 federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination in hiring or employment
			 practices.
(6) Adults serving on
			 athletic regulatory boards shall fairly represent the interest of all students
			 regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin or
			 sexual orientation.
(7) Any
			 contributions to a school for activities and monetary awards within or
			 sponsored by the school or for scholarships administered by the school by any
			 person, group or organization shall be free from any restrictions based upon
			 race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin or sexual
			 orientation. Schools may post or print information regarding private restricted
			 scholarships as long as no preferential treatment is given to any particular
			 scholarship offered and as long as the school does not endorse or recommend any
			 such scholarship nor advise or suggest to a particular student that he or she
			 apply for such a scholarship.
(8)
			 The opportunity to receive guidance and counseling in a student's primary
			 language should be made available to students from homes where English is not
			 the primary language spoken.