Commissioner's Update
October 18, 2006
Dear Superintendents, and Leaders of Charter Schools and Collaboratives:
In this Update I have five announcements and four items recently posted at www.doe.mass.edu for your review.
Update
High School Science and Technology/Engineering Parents Memo
I have prepared a letter to parents   of students in the class of 2010 (current grade 9 students) notifying them of the upcoming addition of high school Science and Technology/Engineering to the Competency Determination requirement. Please share this important letter with parents or guardians of grade 9 students to help them understand the significance of this new state graduation requirement.
New FY07 Academic Support Competitive Grant RFP Application Released
The goal of this state-funded competitive program is to provide summer remediation in English Language Arts (ELA) and/or Mathematics for students in the Classes of 2010-2011 who scored in the warning level on the 7th and/or 8th grade English language arts and/or mathematics MCAS tests. This grant opportunity serves as part of a comprehensive intervention plan to help students meet and exceed the Competency Determination standards on their initial try in the spring of their 10th grade year. These services are to supplement currently funded local, state, and federal programs.
Entities eligible to apply for funds include all public school districts and charter schools that have students who will attend school in the district in the fall of 2007 who are from the Classes of 2010-2011 and scored at the warning level on the 7th and/or 8th grade ELA and/or mathematics MCAS tests. All proposals must be received by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 15, 2006. For more details, review http://finance1.doe.mass.edu/Grants/grants07/rfp/619_592.html or contact the Student Support Unit via achievement@doe.mass.edu or 781-338-3203.
New MTEL Features for 2006-2007
New features have been implemented for the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) for the 2006-2007 school year. Modifications to test score reporting were made so that candidates for educator licensure and the professionals who help prepare them can better understand and use test results, and to prevent misuse of the scores for purposes other than licensure. Key score reporting changes are described below.
Test results will be reported on a scale of 100 - 300, replacing the previous 0 -100 scale. The qualifying score will be a scaled score of 240. By reporting test results on the 100 to 300 scale, it will be more evident that the scores are scaled scores and cannot be misinterpreted as a percentage of test items answered correctly. Candidates who pass a test will continue to receive a result of "Met the Qualifying Score" for their passing status and will no longer receive a numerical total test score. Candidates who do not pass a test will continue to receive a result of "Did Not Meet the Qualifying Score" and a numerical total test scaled score. The official MTEL individual score report that is mailed to candidates has been updated to reflect the new 100 - 300 score scale and redesigned to provide a chart that better organizes test results.
Other new features for the 2006-2007 program year include five additional test dates for the Communication and Literacy Skills Test, enhanced customer service, and an updated Faculty Guide that will be posted later this month on the MTEL web site at www.mtel.nesinc.com.
The Concord Review
The Concord Review, the National Association of Scholars, and the Colonial Society of Massachusetts are submitting three proposals for Teaching American History grants for 2008-2010. Any LEA with 20,000 students of group of LEAs with 20,000 students interested in taking part in a Teaching American History grant starting in 2008 should contact Will Fitzhugh at: Fitzhugh@tcr.org.
Student Artwork Wanted
One of the most popular features on our website is the presentation of student artwork. We are inviting public school K-12 teachers and students to submit new samples for the 2006-2007 school year. This unique opportunity showcases students' creativity and the pictures are a welcome sight for more than 12,000 people who visit our home page daily. Instructions for submission are posted at http://www.doe.mass.edu/resources/kidart.asp.
Postings at www.doe.mass.edu:
- Update to the NCLB Highly Qualified Teacher (HQT) Requirements and District Action Steps for the Coming Year
- New Mercury Legislation Will Affect Schools
- Resource Guide to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for Students with Disabilities (Fall 2006)
- Fall 2006 MEPA Administration Updates
Sincerely,
David P. Driscoll
Commissioner of Education
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