Massachusetts S438: An Act to expand the use of career and academic plans

What the bill says

From the introduced text, February 27, 2025:

Chapter 71 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 official edition, is amended by adding the following new section:- Section 100. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings: “college and career pathway program”, a high school based program, designated by the department of elementary and secondary education, which offers a sequenced and/or career-themed set of academic and/or work-based learning experiences, including designated early college programs, vocational-technical education programs, innovation pathways programs, and STEM tech career academies which can lead to, in the department’s opinion, improved college and career readiness outcomes. “individual learning plan”, a plan devised by individual students with assistance from a designated educator that provides a clear and detailed student academic pathway from secondary to post- secondary education or career with regard to coursework, sequencing and experiences beyond the classroom, beginning in the ninth grade or earlier. “MyCAP”, an acronym for My Career and Academic Plan, a process for creating a student’s individual learning plan as defined in this subsection, and supported by utilization of an online platform, (b) All public school districts shall ensure that all high school students, beginning in the ninth grade, have developed, with the support of a designated educator and an online platform approved by the department of elementary and secondary education, an …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Pavel Payano (D) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. July 30, 2026: Accompanied a study order, see S3238
2. July 2, 2026: Reporting date extended to Friday July 31, 2026
3. March 25, 2026: New draft substituted, see H5305
4. March 25, 2026: Read second, amended (as recommended by the committee on House Ways and Means)
5. March 25, 2026: Rules suspended
6. March 25, 2026: Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting for a second reading with the amendment pending
7. June 6, 2025: Hearing scheduled for 06/17/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in B-2
8. February 27, 2025: House concurred
9. February 27, 2025: Referred to the committee on Education

Common questions

What is S438?

S438 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act to expand the use of career and academic plans.

What is the status of S438?

Failed as of July 30, 2026. Latest action: Accompanied a study order, see S3238 (July 30, 2026).

Who sponsored S438?

Pavel Payano (D).

Where is the official record for S438?

On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S438