What is the Student Opportunity Act?

The Student Opportunity Act is a Massachusetts law passed in 2019 that increases funding for public schools, especially for schools that serve low-income students, English language learners, and students with special needs.

 

 

Why was it created?

Before this law, the state’s school funding formula was outdated and didn’t reflect the real costs of education today. Many schools—especially in lower-income areas—weren’t getting enough money to meet students' needs.

 

What does the law do?

The Student Opportunity Act:

1. Invests $1.5 billion more in public education over 7 years.
    

2. Updates the funding formula (called the "foundation budget") to better reflect:
    

   • Health insurance and special education costs
      

   • The needs of low-income students
      

   • Support for English language learners
      

3. Requires school districts to make plans for how they’ll use the extra money to close opportunity gaps.
    

4. Increases state support for:
    

   • Charter school reimbursements
      

   • School transportation
      

   • Rural school districts
      

 

Goal

The goal is to ensure every student in Massachusetts—no matter their zip code—has access to a high-quality education.