Commissioner's Update
September 7, 2006

Dear Superintendents, and Leaders of Charter Schools and Collaboratives:

In this Update I have one announcement and six items recently posted at www.doe.mass.edu for your review.

MA School Counselors Association's Fall Conference

Superintendents, principals and guidance counselors are invited to attend the MA School Counselors Association's Administrator Leadership Summit on October 10 at the Sturbridge Host Inn and Conference Center. I will be there to lead a focused discussion with school administrators on the critical role that school counselors can play in improving schools and raising student achievement. I will be joined by Dr. Carolyn Stone, president of the American School Counselors Association, and key Department of Elementary and Secondary Education administrators. We will also hear from superintendents, principals and guidance directors in districts that are implementing the MA Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs. My hope is that this Leadership Summit will facilitate ways in which Massachusetts state and local administrators can encourage and support school counselors with Model implementation. For more information and to register for this summit visit: www.masca.org/events/fall_conference.htm.

Postings at www.doe.mass.edu:

1. Outreach on Educational Options and Academic Support Opportunities - Required Notices Regarding Students who Leave High School Without Graduating
   
2. 2007 MCAS Alternate Assessment Training Opportunities
   
3. Ordering Test Materials for the Fall 2006 MEPA-R/W Administration
   
4. Acts of 2005 Relative to Public Education
   
5. Acts of 2006 Relative to Public Education
   
6. Supporting the Children of Guard and Reserve Institute
   

All the best and

Sincerely,

David P. Driscoll
Commissioner of Education