Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito plan to file legislation Monday that would allow school districts across Massachusetts to create new zones to encourage innovation or address underperformance by struggling schools.
Polito made the announcement at Bristol Community College, where she and Education Secretary James Peyser testified before the Joint Ways and Means Committee on Baker’s education funding proposal for fiscal 2020.
The bill will be based on legislation filed last session by House Education Committee Chair Alice Peisch and Sen. Eric Lesser, following an “empowerment zone” used by Springfield schools, Polito said.
“These innovation partnership zones allow educators to make changes to provide a better learning environment,” Polito said.