The Massachusetts State Student Advisory Council (SSAC) to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is an organization of democratically elected students from across the Commonwealth which advocates for the interests of all K–12 students in Massachusetts. We seek to improve the quality of the educational experience provided by SSAC, through student initiative, legislative outreach, and collaboration with the educational community. In doing so, we ensure that the largest stakeholder group in public education, the students, is adequately represented in the decision-making process.
In accordance with SSAC's mission and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)'s responsibility to oversee the council and its' elections, DESE is committed to promoting election processes and practices that cultivate regional and state advisory councils that are built on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
To support the goal of developing councils with a diverse group of students who are representative of the diversity of the students in the Commonwealth, DESE needs the help of schools to ensure that the opportunity is open to all students and geared towards increasing participation for traditionally underserved and underrepresented students.
There shall be annual elections for electing student representatives to the Regional Student Advisory Councils (RSACs). Each secondary school shall elect two student representatives to serve a one-year term providing they remain enrolled throughout the length of the term. The term of said regional representatives shall begin on or about June 1.
Each school is asked to designate a staff member to serve as the school-based advisor for the student representatives. Students and school advisors will participate in orientation, regional council officer selection and delegates to state council selection meetings prior to the official start of their term. The enforcement of the procedure governing the conduct of the school-based election shall be the responsibility of the principal.
Any student who is enrolled in a secondary school and has been a resident of the Commonwealth for six months shall be eligible for election to the RSAC provided that they shall remain enrolled throughout the following school year.
No student shall be prevented from running for election for four successive terms.
DESE seeks inclusion of a representative group of students. We suggest intentional outreach and promotion of this opportunity to students of all backgrounds and experiences to ensure that all voices are elevated and included. We ask that when conducting your elections, you think about:
The recommended nomination and voting schedule is as follows:
Every student enrolled in the school shall have an opportunity to vote unless absent.
The two candidates who receive the first and second highest number of votes on the ballots cast will be deemed elected to the Regional Student Advisory Council.
The ballots and a record of the election should be kept on file in the school for 30 days following the election.
Once elected, the student representatives shall not be denied participation in any RSAC function or penalized in any way for such participation. The school may consider awarding the elected students' academic credit for their participation in the Student Advisory Council.
In the event that an elected representative unenrolls in school, he/she/they cease to be a member of the RSAC. In this case, or if a member resigns, the vacancy should be filled by an election held to select a new representative. Please notify the state council advisors, sac@doe.mass.edu , as soon as possible to ensure timely transition and engagement of new representatives.
Schools must notify DESE of their student representatives by May 1, 2024
Schools can notify DESE of their student representatives using this survey.
Once registered, students and school advisors will receive a registration link for the May 29, 2024 orientation.
Schools are able to elect representatives for RSAC throughout the year.
All elections, regardless of when they are being held, are subject to the same guidelines and principles described above.
Post-springtime election season: If a school will hold elections outside of the suggested timeline above, they should inform the state council advisors of their intent to send representation and outline the alternate timeline for doing so. This ensures a timely transition and engagement of new representatives in RSAC activities.
Please note that students joining an RSAC after elections have been held will not be eligible to hold a regional leadership position or serve as a delegate to the state council.
Student Advisory Council Massachusetts Dept. of Elementary & Secondary Education 135 Santilli Highway Everett, MA 02149 sac@doe.mass.edu
In any area not covered in this delineation, action shall be taken consistent with local ordinance and state statute.
Last Updated: April 30, 2024
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149
Voice: (781) 338-3000 TTY: (800) 439-2370
Disclaimer: A reference in this website to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public and does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.