Commissioner's Update
October 13, 2009

Dear Superintendents and Leaders of Charter Schools and Collaboratives:

In this Update I have one announcement and five items for your review.

Expanded Learning Time Study Tours

Free, full-day expanded-learning time study tours to three urban charter schools are available this fall. Tours give teams of teachers and administrators the opportunity to:

• Tour a host school, observe in a classroom, and dialogue with school leaders, staff, and collaborators;
• Network with other attendees;
• Participate in a workshop focusing on academics, enrichment, or instructional improvement, and engage in action planning;
• Come away with a new research document on expanded learning time practices.
  Schedule:
  • Boston Preparatory Charter School, October 20, Hyde Park
  • Codman Academy Charter School , November 12, Dorchester
  • KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School, November 13, Lynn

Space is limited, pre-registration is required, and deadlines are coming soon. Limited funds to reimburse schools for substitute teachers are available. For information and registration, contact banderson@mccpse.org or call 781-475-8879. This project is funded by the federal Charter Schools Program grant to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Items Posted at www.doe.mass.edu:

1. Notice of Public Comment for Proposed Amendments to 603 CMR 1.00, Charter Schools Regulations
   [ No longer available ]
2. Proposed Amendments to Charter Schools Regulations 603 CMR 100
3. Notice of Public Comment for Proposed Amendment to 603 CMR 2.00, Under-Performing Schools and School Districts Regulations
4. Annual Student Government Day, April 9, 2010
   [ No longer available ]
5. District Use of 21st Century Skills

Sincerely,

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