Commissioner's Update
April 24, 2009

Dear Superintendents, and Leaders of Charter Schools and Collaboratives:

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

2009 Summer Professional Development Institutes will be available at no cost to educators

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is pleased to announce we will be offering more than 50 Professional Development Institutes this summer at no cost to educators. This year's institutes will focus on strengthening teachers' content knowledge and teaching skills in a wide range of subjects. All institutes will offer professional development points (PDPs) and optional graduate credit that can be applied toward educator licensure. Registration priority will be given to teachers from high-need districts who need to become licensed and knowledgeable in the subject area that they teach.

A description of each institute and information about how to receive more detail is now posted at: http://www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/cinstitute/.

Extended Deadline to Submit MEPA Standard-Setting Applications

Please note that the deadline to submit applications to serve on Massachusetts English Proficiency Assessment (MEPA) standard-setting panels has been extended to 5:00 p.m., Friday, May 15, 2009. Standard-setting panelists are directly involved in recommending cut scores for performance levels for the new MEPA program.

Please see the Commissioner's invitation to apply to become a standard-setting panelist and other details about the event this summer at www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/mepa/. Please note that selected panelists will receive a $450 honorarium for their services. If you have questions, contact Jennifer Malonson, MEPA Program Specialist, at jmalonson@doe.mass.edu or 781-338-3625.

Please share information about this rewarding summer professional development opportunity with your staff.

Financial Literacy Program Available for Teachers

The financial challenges facing today's students are many and complex. Providing them with training will help them make informed financial decisions that will positively affect their futures. In a comprehensive effort to bring financial literacy education into the classroom, the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation offers the High School Financial Literacy Program, known as "HiFi".

The HiFi program trains teachers, financial professionals, and representatives of community-based organizations to teach financial literacy classes to teens. Through this program students gain the financial skills and abilities they need whether they are headed to the workforce, military, or college.

To date, the HiFi program has been successful with more than 850 educators trained representing over 330 high schools and community-based organizations. In addition, more than 100 financial representatives have been trained and are available to lend their expertise in the classroom.

HiFi returns this spring with classes scheduled as follows:

May 11: The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
June 16: Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester

If you are interested in further details and attending one of our training sessions, please register online at http://www.mass.gov/HiFi.

Items Posted at www.doe.mass.edu:

1. Reminder about Requirement to Report Educator Misconduct
2. Data Collection Initiatives
3. Announcement of Enhancements to MCAS   
4. Distinguished Secondary Educators

Sincerely,

Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D.
Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education