Section 120 COVID-19 Education Impact Study

The department of elementary and secondary education shall conduct a study to evaluate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the delivery of educational services and supports to marginalized students including, but not limited to, students who: (i) are school age children with a disability; (ii) are English learners; (iii) are low-income; (iv) are Black, indigenous, Latinx or persons of color; (v) have a gender identity or sexual orientation that has been historically discriminated against; or (vi) have otherwise experienced educational disparities based upon lack of resources or educational supports. The study shall include, but not be limited to: (a) an analysis of the amount and quality of support services provided to marginalized students during the 2019 to 2020 school year as compared to analogous services delivered during the 2018 to 2019 school year; (b) a review of accessible assessment tools to comprehensively assess marginalized students' current academic, social and emotional needs; (c) an analysis of any disproportionate academic, social and emotional impact of hybrid and remote schooling on marginalized students; (d) identification of barriers to reentry to in-person schooling for marginalized students and their families; (e) an analysis of existing workforce pipelines and potential responses to emerging workforce pipeline needs to support marginalized students; (f) an analysis of social and emotional learning opportunities in schools for students; and (g) an assessment of additional supports and services necessary to support marginalized students' academic, social and emotional needs.

The department shall submit a report of its findings to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the joint committee on education and the senate and house committees on ways and means not later than March 1, 2022.