Commissioner's Update
December 4, 2007

Dear Superintendents, and Leaders of Charter Schools and Collaboratives:

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

Student Records - New Federal Guidance on Information-Sharing in Emergencies

The U.S. Department of Education has released new guidance for K-12 educators, parents, and colleges and universities about the ways that educators can share education records and personal observations about students in emergencies without violating the federal student confidentiality law known as FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). The guidance says that even though FERPA generally requires parental consent before the school discloses student information to third parties, the law allows school officials to share personally identifiable student information with appropriate parties such as law enforcement officials to protect the safety of the student or others. The guidance, along with links to other information on this issue and FERPA generally, is available at: http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/safeschools/index.html. The Massachusetts Student Records Regulations contain a similar provision, 603 CMR 23.04(7)(e), that allows schools to share information regarding a student with appropriate parties in connection with a health or safety emergency to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals. The Student Records Regulations are available at: http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/603cmr23.html.

Full-Day Kindergarten Grants Offered

The state is offering $6 million in competitive grants to districts interested in offering full-day kindergarten classes in September 2008. The purpose of the state-funded Kindergarten Development Grant program is to enhance the educational experience of children by: increasing the number of full-day kindergarten classrooms; improving overall quality and curriculum; increasing inclusion; promoting continuity of curriculum from preschool (PreK) to third grade; and developing other program components.

To apply, send a letter of intent by Wednesday, December 5, 2007. All proposals must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, December 21, 2007. For more details, review http://finance1.doe.mass.edu/Grants/grants08/rfp/702.html or contact Nermina Peric, Office of Elementary School Services, nperic@doe.mass.edu or 781-338-6353.

Free ALEKS Mathematics Subscription for Study Participants Preparing for the Mathematics MTEL Tests

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is conducting a pilot study to examine the potential benefits to teachers and teacher candidates of using a web-based tutorial program to prepare for the MTEL Elementary Mathematics (#53) and Middle School Mathematics (#47) tests given on March 8, May 10, or July 19, 2008. Study participants will receive a free three-month subscription to Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS) software, a web-based assessment and learning system.

After an initial adaptive diagnostic assessment, ALEKS will provide each participant with a summary report that can guide the participant's use of the learning mode tutorial where the program provides detailed explanations, opportunities for practice, and tracks the mastery of concepts and skills. Please note that although the ALEKS system addresses some of the same content as the MTEL mathematics tests, it is not specifically designed for or aligned with the MTEL mathematics test objectives or test items.

Participants in the study will be asked to use ALEKS (minimum of 10 hours), document their experience, register and take an MTEL mathematics test, and provide the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education with their MTEL results (participants and schools will not be identified in the study). For more information or to sign up for the study, please contact Emily Hamilton at ehamilton@doe.mass.edu or (781) 338-3541.

Items Posted at www.doe.mass.edu:

1. Massachusetts English Proficiency Assessment (MEPA) District Report
2. John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
3. The Advanced Placement Exam Fee Subsidy Program
4. 2008-2009 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Program

Sincerely,

Jeffrey Nellhaus
Acting Commissioner of Education