Educator Effectiveness

Teachers' Top Three from ESE - November 5, 2015

1. Get involved: Public comment sought on revised science and technology/engineering standards: The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted on October 20 to solicit public comment on the Revised Science and Technology/Engineering (STE) standards. Full STE standards were last developed in 2001, and the high school standards had a minor revision in 2006. The standards released for comment reflect the need for students to develop both a conceptual understanding as well as science and engineering practices that will help them apply learning and be analytical thinkers. The public comment period is open through November 20, 2015. The revised standards, a survey to submit comment, and related resources are available online. Comments can also be submitted to mathsciencetech@doe.mass.edu.

2. FYI: Webinar on social and emotional learning
   At 3 p.m. November 18, the Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy and ASCD are hosting a webinar on social and emotional learning. The webinar will feature information about state-level and district-level policies that support social and emotional learning practices in the classroom. Learn more and register.

   One other note about social and emotional learning: In the June 4 Teachers' Top 3, Milford kindergarten teacher Michele Leduc wrote positively about the new Standards for Preschool and Kindergarten in the Domains of Social and Emotional Learning and Approaches to Play and Learning. The standards were recently approved and are available online.

   If you're interested in writing a short piece for Teachers' Top Three, please email Kat Johnston at ksjohnston@doe.mass.edu.

3. Frequently Asked Question: Will PARCC items be released to teachers and the public?
   Yes! Some of the items from the spring 2015 PARCC tests have been publicly released online. They can be sorted by subject and grade level. A guide to the released items is also available and highlights the components (items, rubrics, student examples, etc.) that are now available.