Governor Charlie Baker signs the LOOK Bill into law, surrounded by Senator DiDomenico, conference committee members, and staff who helped to craft the new law. 

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker recently signed into law Senator Sal DiDomenico’s bill that updates the existing statute relative to English language education in the Commonwealth’s public schools. An Act relative to language opportunity for our kids, also known as the LOOK bill, promotes research-based best practices for programs serving English learners (EL).

“As the Senate sponsor of this legislation for many years, I was very proud to see this bill signed into law” said Senator DiDomenico. “This legislation takes crucial strides towards guaranteeing every student receives a fair opportunity at educational success, and I have no doubt this bill will help to improve educational outcomes for all of our students, especially our schools’ English learners. We have worked very hard over the years to pass this bill, and I would like to thank my fellow conference committee members, staff, and the many advocates who helped to make this day possible.”

This bill expands on the current mandate requiring schools to use Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) by giving schools the flexibility to establish programs based on the diverse needs of their students. Under this legislation, school districts can maintain current SEI programming or choose to implement an alternative instructional program that meets federal and state standards.  

Recognizing bilingualism and biliteracy as valuable strengths for students in a 21st century world, this legislation establishes a state Seal of Biliteracy. The seal will be awarded by participating school districts to students who have attained a high level of proficiency in English, and one or more foreign languages.

This bill was passed unanimously by the Senate and passed by an overwhelming bipartisan majority (155-1) in the House on November 15, 2017.

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BOSTON – Last week, the Massachusetts Legislature passed bipartisan legislation, sponsored by Senator Sal DiDomenico (D-Everett), that updates the existing statute relative to English language education in the Commonwealth’s public schools. An Act relative to language opportunity for our kids, also known as the LOOK bill, promotes research-based best practices for programs serving English learners (EL).

Since the year 2000, the number of EL students in Massachusetts has doubled to more than 90,204 students, or 9.5 percent of the student population. While statewide graduation rates for students have risen over the past ten years, the achievement gap between EL students and their peers persists.

“While the current English language instruction model has proven to be beneficial for some of our Commonwealth’s English learners, countless other EL students have found themselves falling behind in this restrictive academic environment,” said Senator DiDomenico, the Senate sponsor of the bill. “This legislation changes that by rethinking the way we approach educating our English learners and giving our schools greater flexibility to select the programs that fit the diverse and unique needs of their students. I am confident this bill takes crucial strides towards guaranteeing that every student receives a fair opportunity at educational success, and I would like to thank my fellow conference committee members and the many advocates who helped to bring this legislation to fruition.” 

“Allowing parents and local school districts the flexibility to choose the most effective programs to cater to the specific needs of their students is not only good public policy but also what is best for our students to be successful,” said Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst).  “We live in a global community and we must be able to adapt to the changing needs of our communities in a thoughtful and constructive way.  This bill achieves that goal.”

“Every student has unique needs, and it is our obligation to foster an environment where they are afforded an education tailored to them,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop). “Massachusetts’ education system is the best in the nation, and I believe that this legislation will enhance our standing while ensuring that education is indeed, the great equalizer.”

“The accord reached today by the conference committee is a huge step forward for English language instruction in our Commonwealth,” said Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz (D-Boston), co-chair of the LOOK bill conference committee and Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “It will empower parents and educators to make the most effective educational decisions, based on each student's individual needs. And it includes safeguards to ensure English learners don’t fall between the cracks or languish in ineffective programs. Thank you to Rep. Sánchez and Sen. DiDomenico for introducing this critical legislation, and to all the advocates who’ve pushed for it for so many years. Thanks also go to my conference committee co-chair, Rep. Peisch, and all the members of our conference committee for their dedication to fixing our state's failed one-size-fits-all model with an effective, bi-partisan solution.” 

“I would like to thank the primary sponsors of the legislation, Chairman Sánchez and Senator DiDomenico, for insisting that we address the needs of the growing English language learner population in the Commonwealth and my fellow conferees for their hard work on reconciling the two versions of the legislation,” said Representative Alice Peisch (D- Wellesley), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education.  “The legislation permits districts to choose English Learner programs that best fit the needs of their students, while ensuring those programs will be of the highest quality.  This combination of flexibility and high-standards will allow all students to achieve a level of English proficiency so that they can access the academic success for which Massachusetts students are known. 

“The Commonwealth has a responsibility to each and every one of its students to give them the resources to succeed,” said Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth), a member of the conference committee who also sits on the Joint Committee on Education. “This bill gives English Learners more opportunities to simultaneously become proficient in their studies as well as in the English language. These opportunities are reinforced by affording local school districts the flexibility to implement programs that they believe work best for in their community, by giving parents a choice in what course they believe is best for their child, and by giving the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education the tools they need to efficiently implement and monitor English Language curriculum. I am confident that we will now be able to effectively serve our entire student population for the future success of the Commonwealth.”

This bill expands on the current mandate requiring schools to use Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) by giving schools the flexibility to establish programs based on the diverse needs of their students. Under this legislation, school districts can maintain current SEI programming or choose to implement an alternative instructional program that meets federal and state standards.

This bill supports parental choice and involvement by expanding the role of Parental Advisory Councils and allowing parents the flexibility to choose programs that best meet their child’s needs.

To better identify and assist English learners, this legislation requires greater tracking of academic performance and enhanced review of programs.  Furthermore, this legislation directs the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop additional guidelines and supports for school districts.

Recognizing bilingualism and biliteracy as valuable strengths for students in a 21st century world, this legislation establishes a state Seal of Biliteracy. The seal will be awarded by participating school districts to students who have attained a high level of proficiency in English, and one or more foreign languages. 

This bill will now move to the Governor for his signature. 

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BOSTON- Senator Sal DiDomenico recently received the 2017 Legislator of the Year Award from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) for his work on behalf of Massachusetts public schools and the students of the Commonwealth. Senator DiDomenico was nominated for this recognition by the Everett School Committee and accepted his award at the MASC Annual Joint Conference in Hyannis. 

“I would like to sincerely thank the Massachusetts Association of School Committees for naming me their 2017 Legislator of the Year,” said Senator Sal DiDomenico. “I would also like to especially thank MASC Executive Director Glenn Koocher and my friends on the Everett School Committee for nominating me for this award. It is an honor to be recognized by a group of people who have devoted their lives to giving all of Massachusetts’ students the tools they need to succeed in school and beyond, and I am proud to support their work in the State Senate.”

MASC selected Senator DiDomenico as their 2017 Legislator of the Year for his “tireless advocacy and service on behalf of children and families in Massachusetts and for ensuring the strength and survival of local municipal government in the great tradition of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

Since his election to the Senate, Senator DiDomenico has been a vocal advocate for children and families and an ardent champion of Massachusetts public schools. Throughout his tenure, the Senator has filed several major pieces of legislation that have been signed into law focusing on issues of education, children's health, and human services, among others.

In 2015, Senator DiDomenico was selected as one of only 22 legislators throughout the United States to serve as an Early Learning Fellow by the National Conference of State Legislators. He has also been appointed by Senate President Stan Rosenberg to be the Chair of Senate’s Kids First Initiative, an ongoing effort to identify best practices and innovative ideas for investing in and supporting children across the Commonwealth. Most recently, in his role as Vice Chairman of Senate Ways & Means, Senator DiDomenico has worked tirelessly to secure additional funding for schools that have been negatively impacted by a change in the way the state counts low-income students and is continuing to work to broker a long-term solution.

Senator DiDomenico currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and Chairman of Intergovernmental Affairs.  He also holds a position in Senate President Stan Rosenberg’s leadership team, joining a select group of members chosen for their ability to lead and their commitment to advancing important issues for the Commonwealth.

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