Commissioner's Update
August 7, 2007

Dear Superintendents, and Leaders of Charter Schools and Collaboratives:

In this Update I have two announcements and one item for your review.

Important Reminders About 2007 MCAS Results

The MCAS discrepancy-reporting period for the results of the spring 2007 MCAS tests is scheduled for August 20 through August 31. It is extremely important that principals or their designees be available to review results during this time period. Discrepancies reported outside of this window will not be corrected in time for the official release of school and district MCAS and AYP reports.

The Department plans to host a series of MCAS reporting conference calls on August 20, 21, and 27 to answer questions about the spring 2007 MCAS preliminary results and to provide information on the discrepancy reporting tool. Registration begins on August 6, through the MCAS Service Center Web site (mcasservicecenter.com). You will need your 2007 MCAS password to register.

Register Now for 2007 STEM Summit

The 2007 STEM SUMMIT IV: Accelerating Forward on October 17 is fast approaching. Educators, both PK-12 and higher education, community and business leaders, and state and local-level policymakers are invited to attend. The combined efforts of all stakeholders will accelerate successful student preparation for careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in Massachusetts.

To register, go to: http://www.massachusetts.edu/stem/index.html. The Summit will be held at the Host Hotel in Sturbridge. Please forward this message to your science, technology, engineering and mathematics faculty members and department heads.

Items Posted at www.doe.mass.edu:

1. Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program

Sincerely,

David P. Driscoll
Commissioner of Education