PETITION OF:

SECTION 1. Section 2 of chapter 6A of the general laws, as appearing in the 2004 Official edition, is hereby amended by inserting, in line 2, after the word “governor,” the following word: - education,

SECTION 2. Said chapter 6A of the general laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting, after section 8A, the following section: -

Section 13A. Executive Office for Education

In order that all citizens of the Commonwealth, regardless of their individual circumstances, shall have an equal opportunity to pursue the promise of the education necessary to be informed and engaged citizens; that all future voters and taxpayers shall have the training required of them as consumers, employees and employers in the global marketplace; that all of tomorrow’s citizens and taxpayers shall have an equal opportunity to pursue happiness and economic security for themselves, their families and their communities; and that there shall be clear authority, responsibility, and accountability for the education of the citizenry of the Commonwealth, there shall be established the Executive Office for Education.

The office shall include the department of education, the department of early education and care, the board of education, the board of higher education, the board of early education and care, the Massachusetts school building authority, the university of Massachusetts building authority, the state college building authority, the Massachusetts educational finance authority, the office of educational quality and accountability, and the boards of trustees of all state colleges and universities.

The governor shall appoint a secretary, who shall serve as the chair of each of the boards. The governor shall, with the advice of the secretary, appoint all members of the boards within the executive office.

SECTION 3. Section 1E of Chapter 15 of the General Laws as appearing in the 2000 official edition, is amended by striking lines 1 through 24, and line 25 through the sentence ending “shall not be counted as a full term” and replacing them with the following: — There shall be a board of public education which shall consist of fifteen members with demonstrated expertise in and commitment to a vital and vibrant public education system and reflecting and representative of the population of students in the commonwealth’s public schools. The board will be ethnically, racially, economically and politically diverse and represent the several geographic regions of the commonwealth and the different perspectives and needs of urban, rural and suburban school districts. It will include representation from students, teachers, principals, and superintendents as well as representative local officials, business leaders, higher education administrators, and educational policy experts. In making appointments to the board, the governor shall appoint the chancellor of higher education, two representatives of business or industry, one member chosen from a list of three names provided by each of the following: the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the Massachusetts Federation of Teachers, the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, the Massachusetts Association of Secondary School Administrators, the Massachusetts Association of Elementary School Administrators, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, and the student advisory council established under this section; and four additional members selected by the governor. One third of the members appointed upon passage of this section shall serve an initial term of three years; one third shall serve an initial term of four years; and one third shall serve an initial term of five years. Thereafter, members shall serve for a period of three years. No person shall be appointed to serve more than two full terms, provided, however, that service on or before passage of this section shall not be counted for this purpose.

SECTION 4. Section 1G of said Chapter 15 shall be amended by inserting in line 2 after “the following areas,” the words:

- civics; lifelong learning;

SECTION 5. Section 1G of said Chapter 15 shall be amended by inserting after line 25, the words: - The advisory council on civics shall include current and retired community leaders as business and academic leaders with demonstrated experience of and commitment to civic engagement and community empowerment. The council shall advise the board on programs and initiatives to promote an understanding and appreciation of our democratic institutions and traditions, and to promote school-based programs to encourage an informed an engaged citizenry.

The advisory council on lifelong learning shall include higher education, business and community leaders with demonstrated scholarship or creativity in, or distinguished experience of and service to, lifelong learning. The council shall advise the board on the development and implementation of school- and community-based programs and initiatives to encourage and empower students to continue learning as adults and to sponsor opportunities for lifelong learning.