There is a foundation budget review commission in the conference committee budget

 Yes, I am still playing catch-up from being away!

the headline I saw from vacation

The conference committee budget agreed to by both chambers does have a foundation budget review commission in it. As the guide to the outside sections notes, it is compromise language, which here means that they didn't just take the Senate's language, as, as you might remember, the House didn't have such language in the budget. 

I'm going to include the text from the budget in full below; it's in two sections (64 and 111), covering the committee's charge as well as the deadline for the report of the next commission. I say next report, as the language appears to be (again, as this was also in the Student Opportunity Act) to be establishing this as a commission that is to meet periodically. The language establishes it "every ten years" but that's "[u]pon action of the general court."

There are two things that are interesting to me: 

I read the state graduation council report

 ...I am not going to say "so you don't have to," because I think if you have an interest in education, you probably should at least skim the report, which is online here.
As always, this is me writing as me on behalf of me only. 

This image deserves more space than it gets in the report, as it isn't bad thinking and it's a solid try at an outline. 
How is it, though, that they managed parallel structure for all but ONE of the items?
The upper left one is crying out for a noun!

June 2026 Board of Ed; Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School

 the report is here

completed the tasks described in the three conditions, around governance of their board
different than demonstrating sustained improvement
will have additional governance requirement; expected that they will apply for renewal next year
now having some conversation around the transportation item
condition was for them to develop a plan; they haven't fully implemented a plan

June 2026 Board of Ed: translation and interpretation regulation

backup is here; public comment summary is here; redline is here 

Martinez notes there's no money attached to this
strategic about what is in regs; "want to be nimble"
"not intended to create a significant financial burden to any of our districts"
balancing making sure that our children's needs are being met

June 2025 Board of Ed: special education regulations

 You can find the backup here, summary of public comment here, and the redline version here. 

Martinez, in introducing the topic, notes the intended move of special education from DoE to HHS at the federal level, stressing that it makes it that much more important that Massachusetts have strong laws and regulations to protect students.

1. amend definition of individualized education program to reference state law, which aligns with federal law
2. add new section on discipline procedures for eligible students; incorporating provisions in federal law

changes made in response to public comment:

• ESL staff specifically listed as required to be trained (already required for all staff, anyway)
• consideration of English learners' needs in IEP dvelopment
• "change in placement" definition streamlined
• definitions for "controlled substance," "illegal drug," "serious bodily injury," and "weapon" all directly from IDEA
• notices comply with state discipline law requirements
• language on appeal of a placement as a result of a disciplinary decision
• reference to state law regarding transmission of student records to law enforcement 

June 2026 Board of Ed: Civics

 Super weird to me that the update includes this "look this curriculum is everywhere"

civics law passed in 2018

student-led civics projects

Oddly, this presentation is from iCivics, not from DESE staff or school district people, or...this is kind of weird; 

"goal of schooling is produced informed engaged citizens"
"health of our constitutional democracy requires sustained commitment"
now speaking about the We Declare! challenge

Here's the Boston Green Academy winning video

June 2026 Board of Ed: State Student Advisory Council

 State Student Advisory Council 
for some reason, they never link to the presentation from the SSAC on these...I wish they would

used extensive amounts of data in their work
host successful regional and statewide stakeholder engagement events