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By Mr. Cabral of New Bedford, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 398) of Antonio F. D. Cabral and others for legislation to promote gender equity training in education. Education. |
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PETITION OF:
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By Mr. Cabral of New Bedford, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 398) of Antonio F. D. Cabral and others for legislation to promote gender equity training in education. Education. |
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PETITION OF:
Pamela P. Resor
Douglas W. Petersen
Christine E. Canavan
Gale D. Candaras
Matthew C. Patrick
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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
SECTION
1. The General Court finds and declares that:
(a) gender bias is widespread in educational programs in Massachusetts,
and such inequities have a disproportionately negative impact on women and
girls; and
(b) gender equity training is one of the most effective means of eliminating
inequitable practices in our state’s schools.
SECTION 2.
Subsection 1L of section 29 of Chapter 71 of the acts of 1993 is hereby amended
in paragraph one by inserting the following sentence at the end thereof:—
Comprehensive interdisciplinary health education and human service programs
shall include programs and policies to address sexual harassment and violence
against women and girls, including, but not limited to, acquaintance rape and
violence prevention.
SECTION 3. Subsection 1G of section 3 of Chapter 71 of the acts of 1993 is further amended by inserting after the phrase “racial imbalance;”, the phrase “gender equity;”.
SECTION 4.
Subsection 1G of section 3 of Chapter 71 of the acts of 1993 is further amended
by inserting the following paragraph at the end thereof:—
The advisory council on gender equity shall consist of members who are
comprehensively knowledgeable in the areas of gender-role socialization impacts
on the educational needs of children and gender-equitable policy. The council
shall coordinate training programs for teachers and other instructional
personnel regarding gender-equitable teaching methods, the promotion of
leadership of girls and young women, and policies to encourage the
participation of girls and young women in those classes and fields which are
traditionally male-dominated, including, but not limited to science,
technology, math, computers and vocational education. The council shall make
recommendations to the commissioner and the department regarding the
implementation of such training programs.