Contact DESE

• The DESE Group Directory provides a comprehensive description of office/center responsibilities, as well as phone and fax numbers and related websites. Note: DESE Groups may be responsible for a number of related programs.

• The Staff Directory is a listing of all DESE Staff, their phone numbers and office/center membership.

• Email the Department via an online form to contact a particular unit within the DESE.

• Use Schools and District Profiles to contact individual Schools and Districts.
  
  

Public Records Requests

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education oversees the Commonwealth's K-12 education system and adult basic education, including school finance and district support, student assessment, curriculum and instruction, educator preparation and licensure, charter schools, vocational-technical education, English language learner programs, student support services, and special education. For records related to the Department's work, go to DESE Public Records Center.

Helene Bettencourt, Primary Records Access Officer

Title: Associate Commissioner for Communications and Planning
Business address: 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149
Telephone: (781) 338-3131
Fax: (781) 338-3770
Email: ESE.RAO@mass.gov

Questions about Licensure

We strongly encourage you to thoroughly explore the extensive resources on our Full-Service Website for the most expedient response to most questions.

To access information about the current status of educator licenses in Massachusetts, go to the Public Lookup Tool.

For answers to more in-depth applicant questions and concerns, you can visit our Licensure Welcome Center walk-up counter, located on the third floor of 135 Santilli Highway, Everett MA (M–F 8:45am – 4:45pm) or you can call our Customer Service Call Center at 781-338-6600 (M–F 9:00am – 1:00pm; 2:00pm – 5:00pm). When visiting the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, please be sure to bring a photo ID with you. Please note: you cannot use a photocopy of a photo ID.

Last Updated: November 19, 2020