Commissioner's Update
July 23, 2007

Dear Superintendents, and Leaders of Charter Schools and Collaboratives:

In this Update I have two announcements and three items for your review.

School Transportation Survey

We are requesting your assistance in providing us with information about school transportation. This information is required as a result of a legislative directive to review current district transportation practices to determine cost savings and efficiencies. To collect this information, we have developed a survey. Please submit your responses no later than August 31. The survey and additional information can be found at http://finance1.doe.mass.edu/transport/info07_01.html.

2007 Massachusetts Literacy Champions Awards Program

The Massachusetts Literacy Foundation is pleased to announce the 2007 Massachusetts Literacy Champions Awards Program in recognition of excellence in the field of literacy. Literacy Champions receive grants in the amount of $2,500 directed to the organization where they work and $1,000 to support their professional development. The deadline to apply is August 30, 2007. To meet former Literacy Champions and learn about the program, please visit www.massliteracy.org.

Items Posted at www.doe.mass.edu:

1. Schedule for Release of 2007 MCAS and AYP Results; Deadlines for Reporting MCAS and AYP Data Discrepancies
2. Accountability System Update - 2007 Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Determinations
3. Research Update - Recent Reports from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Sincerely,

David P. Driscoll
Commissioner of Education