Commissioner's Update
September 21, 2009

Dear Superintendents and Leaders of Charter Schools and Collaboratives:

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

ARRA Contract Grant Amendment

All ARRA recipients are asked to please review the Commonwealth of Massachusetts form "Contract Grant Amendment." This document further defines the performance and reporting requirements of ARRA funds, and supplements the "Statement of Assurances" that all recipients were required to sign prior to receiving any ARRA funding. This information is applicable to all ARRA funds, not just those received from ESE. This document is informational, so it does not need to be signed or returned to the ESE. The document can be found here: http://www.mass.gov/Aosc/docs/Forms/Contracts/arra_reprt_req.doc.

Updated List of Bilingual Word-to-Word Dictionaries

I am pleased to announce that an updated list of bilingual word-to-word dictionaries authorized for use on MCAS tests by English language learners is posted online at www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/testadmin/. Several dictionaries, representing a number of new language groups, have been added to the list. For the first time, we have included a list of bilingual dictionaries that feature word-to-word translations of specialized technical terms used in a number of content areas. Students with limited English proficiency should find these word-to-word lists of terms helpful when participating in MCAS tests in Mathematics and Science and Technology/Engineering.

As a reminder, any current or former limited English proficient student may have access to an authorized word-to-word bilingual dictionary during MCAS testing. The use of dictionaries of all kinds is prohibited on the Massachusetts English Proficiency Assessment (MEPA).

Items Posted at www.doe.mass.edu:

1. Extension for Reviewing and Approving Individual Professional Development Plans (IPDPs)
2. Early College High School Information Session on October 9, 2009
3. Individual Non-Public School Report
4. Fall Statistical Reports - Memo to Public School Principals
5. Fall Statistical Reports - Memo to Superintendents and Charter School Leaders
6. Training Sessions and Materials for Administrators and Educators Regarding the Assessment of Students with Disabilities
   [ No longer available ]
7. Arts Education and Arne Duncan's Letter
8. ESE Research Update

Sincerely,

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