Massachusetts S331: An Act relative to student access and return on investment of college and career pathways programs

What the bill says

From the introduced text, February 27, 2025:

SECTION 1. Chapter 6A of the General laws, as appearing in the 2018 official edition, is hereby amended by inserting, after Section 14A, the following section:- Section 14B. (a) The secretary of the executive office of education, in collaboration with the secretary of the executive office of labor and workforce development and the secretary of the executive office of housing and economic development, shall conduct a biennial return on investment audit report of the state’s public education high school college and career pathways programs that shall determine the alignment of existing career pathways offerings, including career technical education and vocational programs, with state and regional labor market plans, employer demand, postsecondary degree or certificate programs, and industry-valued credentials. Said audit report shall a) identify the pathways offerings that are linked to high-skill, higher-wage, in-demand occupations; b) evaluate student participation and outcomes (such as postsecondary attainment, employment status, and wage earnings) associated with each pathways program; c) provide information that can be used to identify career pathway programs that are not aligned with labor market need and provide recommendations for phasing out said programs with a plan for shifting resources to pathway programs necessary to ensure the state’s future competitiveness; d) provide information about the availability, quality and student outcomes of pathways offerings to support student and their families in making …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• John Cronin (D, Worcester and Middlesex) · 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. May 23, 2025: Hearing scheduled for 06/03/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in B-2
4. February 27, 2025: House concurred
5. February 27, 2025: Referred to the committee on Education

Common questions

What is S331?

S331 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act relative to student access and return on investment of college and career pathways programs.

What is the status of S331?

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

Who sponsored S331?

John Cronin (D, Worcester and Middlesex).

Where is the official record for S331?

On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S331