Commissioner's Update
April 7, 2008

Dear Superintendents and Leaders of Charter Schools and Collaboratives:

In this Update I have six announcements and seven items for your review.

Department Seeks Committee Members for Updating of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL)

During 2008-2009, test updating activities will take place for the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) for Biology, Communication and Literacy Skills, Chemistry, Earth Science, English as a Second Language, French, Physics, Spanish, and Technology/Engineering. The Department is seeking nominations for educators to participate in test redevelopment activities, including test review and setting of the qualifying (passing) scores. We need your assistance in finding licensed public school teachers who are current and exemplary in their subject area and college faculty teaching liberal arts and sciences, fine arts, or education preparation courses. Nomination information and forms are available at http://www.doe.mass.edu/news/news.asp?id=4028. Please forward the nomination materials to educators you wish to nominate to participate in MTEL test development activities. Nominees should return their completed forms as soon as possible but not later than April 30, 2008 to either the address or fax number indicated on the form.

Title IIB: Massachusetts Mathematics and Science Partnership Program (MMSP) Grant Opportunity

As a reminder, the request for proposals for the Massachusetts Mathematics and Science Partnership Program, funded through Title II, Part B, of the federal education act, No Child Left Behind, is available at http://www.doe.mass.edu/omste/grants.html. The purpose of the MMSP program is to improve student achievement in science, technology/engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through intensive, high-quality professional development activities that focus on deepening teachers' content knowledge and improving standards-based practices. The due date for submission is Monday, May 5, 2008.

For further information about the Title II-B program contact Lisa Tyrrell, Statewide Science Assistance Specialist, at ltyrrell@doe.mass.edu or 781-338-3514.

MCAS and MEPA

I would like to draw your attention to five memoranda related to MCAS and MEPA testing that have been sent to you "On the Desktop."

1. Educators are invited to serve on Assessment Development Committees for the Massachusetts English Proficiency Assessment (MEPA) for the following grade spans: K-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, and 9-12 from June 2008 through May 2009. Please encourage staff working with English language learners and content staff to consider this rewarding professional development opportunity as the Department prepares to develop new MEPA reading and writing tests. Completed applications are due on April 11, 2008. Complete information is available at www.doe.mass.edu/news/news.asp?id=3993.

2. Spring 2008 retraining sessions will be conducted for current Qualified MELA-O Trainers (QMTs). Retraining sessions will be offered in Worcester, Taunton, and Peabody on April 15, April 16, and May 5 respectively. As a reminder, all QMTs who report MELA-O scores must be retrained and requalified by January 31, 2010. Additional information, including registration instructions, can be found at www.doe.mass.edu/news/news.asp?id=3995.

3. As a reminder, superintendents are responsible for ensuring that all principals in their schools follow proper testing procedures and security requirements during MCAS tests. Please refer to the Principal's Administration Manual   .

4. Compositions from the November 2007 retest have been posted on the MCAS Service Center Web site. Instructions for accessing them are available at www.doe.mass.edu/news/news.asp?id=3996.

5. Principals or their designees must submit MELA-O scores for LEP students in grades K-2 who did not take the IDEA Proficiency Test (IPT) in March 2008. The deadline for submitting MELA-O scores for these students on the Department's Security portal is April 25, 2008. Instructions can be accessed at www.doe.mass.edu/news/news.asp?id=3994.

Transportation Routing Software Grant Announcement

A grant program to support the purchase of transportation routing software has just been announced. An application is listed on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Web site at http://finance1.doe.mass.edu/grants/grants08/rfp/197.html.

The grant program is designed to cover the cost of the software and will range from $10,000 to $24,000 depending on the software purchased. Applications are due to the Department on April 25, 2008. Districts must be prepared to purchase this software by the end of the fiscal year.

Two companies have been added to the ASAP/Dell statewide blanket technology contract. Any purchase from the statewide blanket contract will satisfy the requirements of Chapter 30B. For information on the vendors, pricing and procurement process contact: Amy Zapata, Dell/ASAP, 800-307-4107, Amy_zapata@dell.com.

If you would like the quotes from the two vendors faxed to you or if you have any questions, please contact: Christine M. Lynch, 781-338-6520, clynch@doe.mass.edu or Jay Sullivan, 781-338-6594, jsullivan@doe.mass.edu.

Special Education Circuit Breaker Workshop for New Staff

We are establishing our training protocols for the spring and recognize that many district staff members are either new to their positions or new to the Circuit Breaker process. To increase the effectiveness of our annual Circuit Breaker claims training, we plan to hold specific sessions for staff unfamiliar with the claim process. This new training would be an introductory session and provide a very basic understanding of the process. This training will be lecture style and will prepare attendees to participate in the "hands on" sessions that will be offered in late May and early June. District staff familiar with the process but who would like a refresher course are also welcome.

We have scheduled workshops throughout the state. Please click the following link to register for a workshop http://www.doe.mass.edu/conference/?ConferenceID=495 .

Dow Jones Newspaper Fund, Inc. - 2008 National High School Teacher Awards Program

Guidelines and an application form for the 2008 National High School Teacher Awards Program can be located at http://www.dj.com/Pressroom/PressReleases/Other/US/2008/0318_US_DowJones_4683.htm.

Items Posted at www.doe.mass.edu:

1. 2008 MCAS-Alt Summer Scoring Institute
2. New Fiscal Guidance - Consolidation Funds in Title I Schoolwide Programs
3. FY08 Title I Program Monitoring Review
4. FY09 Title V, Part A Innovation Grants News Alert
5. School Choice Roster Updates, Spring 2008
6. Release of March 2008 MCAS Retest Results
7. US-China Principal Shadowing Project

Sincerely,

Jeffrey Nellhaus
Acting Commissioner of Education