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Jailed students in Massachusetts sue Department of Elementary and Secondary Education over special ed access

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Jailed students in Massachusetts sue Department of Elementary and Secondary Education over special ed access


A group of jailed men have sued the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education over special education access for incarcerated students.

The three men between 18 and 22 on Tuesday filed the class-action lawsuit against DESE for reportedly not providing special ed instruction and services in houses of correction — which they’re entitled to under state law.

“DESE’s failure to uphold its legal obligation to provide adequate education to incarcerated youth is unacceptable,” Phil Kassel of the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee said in a statement.

“Every student, regardless of their circumstances, deserves access to a quality education that meets their individual needs,” Kassel added. ““We are committed to fighting for the rights of these vulnerable individuals and holding DESE accountable for its failures.”

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The three men are being represented by the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee and the EdLaw Project of the Committee for Public Counsel Services.

In the lawsuit, they’re arguing that DESE has failed to provide special ed services to incarcerated students with disabilities.

Instead of DESE directly providing services, the state department has reportedly delegated much of its responsibility to HOC staff and local school districts.

The plaintiffs are “being denied the full spectrum of instruction and services to which they are entitled under their IEP and/or state law,” reads the lawsuit filed in Middlesex Superior Court.

The three men who brought the suit are: a 21-year-old student incarcerated at the Norfolk County jail who attended Boston Public Schools; a 20-year-old student incarcerated at the Plymouth County HOC who attended Quincy Public Schools; and an 18-year-old student incarcerated at the Essex County jail, whose most recent IEP was developed by the Haverhill School District.

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“We are very proud to be representing young people who are in incredibly difficult circumstances and are still fighting to access the education they’re entitled to and build their futures,” said Elizabeth Levitan of the EdLaw Project.

The plaintiffs in the suit are demanding that DESE implement an effective system for identifying and providing special ed services to incarcerated youth — and provide a minimum of 27.5 hours of weekly general curriculum instruction.

DESE did not immediately respond to comment on Tuesday.



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The best Massachusetts high schools for athletes? According to one study, here are top 25

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The best Massachusetts high schools for athletes? According to one study, here are top 25


No other city in the country boasts more championships than Boston, giving Massachusetts a sporting pedigree unlike any other.

What’s unique about many of the state is that several of the stars from those championship-winning teams were Massachusetts natives.

Before they were winning the Stanley Cup, the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals, World Series or a gold medal, those athletes were high school standouts.

Which high schools in Massachusetts are considered the best for athletes today? 

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According to a study conducted by Niche, which accounts for survey feedback from students and parents—accounting for “reviews of athletics, number of state championships, student participation in athletics, and the number of sports offered at the school”—and data from the U.S. Department of Education, these are the top 25.

25. Hanover High School

Total number of sports: 29

24. Tewksbury Memorial High School

Total number of sports: 24

23. Medfield Senior High School

Total number of sports: 27

22. North Reading High School

Total number of sports: 26

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21. Cushing Academy (Ashburnham)

Total number of sports: 20

20. Minnechaug Regional High School (Wilbraham)

Total number of sports: 30

19. Franklin High School

Total number of sports: 20

18. Shrewsbury Senior High School

Total number of sports: 34

17. Longmeadow High School

Total number of sports: 28

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16. Bishop Feehan High School (Attleboro)

Total number of sports: 27

15. Wellesley Senior High School

Total number of sports: 36

14. Mansfield High School

Total number of sports: 22

13. Billerica Memorial High School

Total number of sports: 23

12. St. Sebastian’s School (Needham)

Total number of sports: 13

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11. Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School

Total number of sports: 32

10. Deerfield Academy

Total number of sports: 37

9. Nashoba Regional High School (Bolton)

Total number of sports: 30

8. Belmont Hill School

Total number of sports: 16

7. Duxbury High School

Total number of sports: 30

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6. Notre Dame Academy (Hingham)

Total number of sports: 19

5. Central Catholic High School (Lawrence)

Total number of sports: 30

4. Catholic Memorial (West Roxbury)

Total number of sports: 15

3. Xaverian Brothers High School (Westwood)

Total number of sports: 17

2. Boston College High School

Total number of sports: 17

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1. St. John’s Prep (Danvers)

Total number of sports: 22



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Family of fallen Massachusetts State Trooper attends ceremony remembering those killed in the line of duty – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News

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Family of fallen Massachusetts State Trooper attends ceremony remembering those killed in the line of duty – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News


BOSTON (WHDH) – It was a powerful moment on Friday during the annual Law-Enforcement Memorial Ceremony at the State House, as the ceremony remembered those lost in the line of duty, including State Trooper Kevin Trainor.

Trainor was killed in a wrong-way crash this week. Trainor’s family was in attendance.

“We’re here today with the Trainor family as another tragedy and agonizing time in policing has found us,” Larry Calderone, Boston Police Union President, said.

The day brought a moment to pause and remember the 30-year-old who is being hailed a hero after he was struck and killed Wednesday morning on Route 1 in Lynnfield.

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“We’ve lost a brother,” Massachusetts State Police Col. Geoffrey Noble said.

The fallen trooper’s fiancée spoke out for the first time since losing the love of her life. She posted to social media, “I am beyond proud of the amount of love you have been given by those who loved and cared about you shows us who you really were, a friend, a partner, a brother, a son, and a hero. You weren’t just a hero to me but a hero to all.”

(Copyright (c) 2026 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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Globe Top 20 baseball poll: BC High bounces back amid a flurry of movement – The Boston Globe

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Globe Top 20 baseball poll: BC High bounces back amid a flurry of movement – The Boston Globe


Bishop Feehan moves up to the No. 2 spot — the Shamrocks have won eight straight against in-state competition, and ace Brody Bumila continues to look unbeatable. Natick enters the top five for the first time at No. 4 — the Redhawks are 12-1 with a 9-0 mark in Bay State play.

In the back half, Reading rises to No. 13 after getting some revenge on No. 19 Arlington. Also rising are No. 12 Plymouth North and No. 16 Canton, each up two spots.

New entrants are No. 18 Winchester, which returns to the rankings, and No. 20 Hopkinton, in for the first time this year on the back of four straight wins.

Records based on scores reported to the Globe.

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The Globe’s Top 20 baseball poll

The Globe poll as of May 8, 2026. Teams were selected by the Globe sports staff.


Mike Puzzanghera can be reached at michael.puzzanghera@globe.com. Follow him on X @mpuzzanghera.





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