Educator Effectiveness

Teachers' Top Three from ESE - November 19, 2015

1. The Buzz: Milken Award winner announced (and surprised!)
   
   Michelle Ryan (pictured above), a social studies teacher at Randolph High School, was in tears November 13 after being surprised with a 2015 Milken Educator Award, which includes a $25,000 check from Milken Family Foundation. Secretary James A. Peyser and Dr. Jane Foley, senior vice president of the Milken Educator Awards, presented Ms. Ryan with the award at a school assembly where she was cheered on by her students and previous Massachusetts Milken winners, including Jasmine Lellock, who won the award in 2005 when she, too, was a teacher at Randolph High.
   
   Ms. Ryan is one of up to 40 recipients across the country this year. "I am only here in this school today because of these students," she said. Watch a video of the surprise award assembly.
   
   For information on nominating someone for a Milken award, contact Deborah J. Walker at djwalker@doe.mass.edu or 781-338-3347.

2. In the News: Board votes in favor of next-generation MCAS
   On Tuesday, November 17, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted to transition to a next-generation MCAS test that will be given for the first time in spring 2017 and use both PARCC and MCAS items, as well as items developed specifically for the Massachusetts test.
   
   In spring 2016, districts that used PARCC in 2015 will do so again, and districts that took MCAS will have the choice of which assessment to use. The spring 2016 MCAS tests will include a limited number of PARCC items in order to help make statewide comparisons easier and to offer students and staff the opportunity to experience PARCC items while the new assessment is being developed.
   
   Also as a result of the vote the state will:
   

   • commit to computer-based state assessments with the goal of implementing this statewide by spring 2019;
   • remain a member of the PARCC consortium;
   • and convene groups of K-12 teachers, higher education faculty and assessment experts to advise ESE on the content, length and scheduling of statewide tests; testing policies for students with disabilities and for English language learners; the requirements for the high school competency determination (currently the 10th grade MCAS); and the timeline for reinstating a history and social science test.
   The Department is grateful to the many educators who contributed to the Board's decision by attending public forms, submitting public comments, and sharing their experiences with ESE staff and Board members. Share your thoughts and reactions to the Board's decision on Twitter using the hashtag #Top3fromESE.

3. FYI: The Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program
   The federal Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program offers K-16 educators a chance to travel and learn overseas. The program is open to teachers and administrators with responsibilities for curriculum development in fields related to the arts, humanities, languages, and area studies. There are seminars being offered this summer in Peru, India, and Senegal. The deadline to submit applications is December 9.
   
   The competitive award includes airfare, room, board, fees, and program-related travel within host countries, but participants are responsible for a cost share that is usually $600. More information is available online.