Copy
A message from the
Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education

November 17, 2017
View this email in your browser
Commissioner's Weekly Update banner/logo.
News from Acting Commissioner Jeff Wulfson and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Contents

Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to Meet:


The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will meet on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 in Malden. The agenda will include a presentation by 2017 National Teacher of the Year Sydney Chaffee of Codman Academy Charter Public School in Dorchester, an update on the commissioner search, an update from Lawrence Public Schools Receiver Jeff Riley (more on Lawrence is below), a report from the Board's Budget Committee, a vote to solicit public comment on proposed changes to regulations on MCAS and the Competency Determination, a vote to adopt emergency regulations incorporating requirements from the federal Every Student Succeeds Act on students in foster care, a discussion of funding and other policy issues related to virtual schools, and a discussion of the work being done on state learning standards in subject areas. The Board agenda will be posted online in the coming days. 

Picture of the Week:

Earlier this fall, student officers from SkillsUSA Massachusetts went to Washington, D.C., where they met with U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and, pictured here, Navy Captain Eric Johnson, a graduate of Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School in Franklin and a former SkillsUSA state officer. (Photo courtesy of SkillsUSA Massachusetts) 

New Phase of Lawrence Receivership:


On November 15, 2017, Secretary Peyser, Commissioner Wulfson, Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera, and Lawrence Public Schools Superintendent/Receiver Jeffrey C. Riley held a press conference at South Lawrence East Elementary School to announce that Mr. Riley has decided to step down at the end of the current school year, and in his place, the state will appoint a board of state and local officials to serve as the next receiver.
 
"I am very grateful to Jeff Riley and Lawrence Public Schools faculty and staff for all the work they have done to ensure that Lawrence schools offer their students the same opportunities that any parent would want for their child," Commissioner Wulfson said. "I believe that the best way to continue these significant improvements is to appoint a partnership board of state and local officials that can capitalize on state/local collaboration."

The partnership board will hire a superintendent who will start work July 1, 2018. More details about the board will be released in the coming weeks.

Resources for Supporting LGBTQ Students:


The Department is proud that Massachusetts is a leader in supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) students. To assist districts in their continued efforts to provide safe and supportive environments for all students, this memo from the Commissioner includes information about relevant laws and policies, training and technical assistance, and the statewide Gender and Sexuality Alliance Leadership Council.

Improved Office of Planning and Research Website:


The Department's Office of Planning and Research recently updated two parts of its webpage to make them easier for districts to use. The office has redesigned its reports library so that users can search by topic or by type of report (e.g., program evaluation, research brief, legislative report), and the office has also created the “How Do We Know?” Initiative, a repository of resources intended to help districts improve how they use, build, and share evidence to improve student outcomes. The repository includes a wide variety of short, easy-to-access summaries of research-based best practices.

In addition, the Office of Planning and Research publishes a Research and Best Practices Newsletter that people can subscribe to by signing up online. 

New Associate Commissioner for Statewide System of Support:


After an extensive search, ESE has named Ventura Rodriguez associate commissioner for the Statewide System of Support, filling a vacancy created by Lise Zeig's retirement. Dr. Rodriguez is currently director of ESE's Office of Strategic Transformation. In his new role, he will continue to report to Senior Associate Commissioner Russell Johnston, will co-lead the Office of Strategic Transformation, and will oversee the offices of District and School Turnaround, Regional System of Support, Systems for Student Success, and Effective Practices for Turnaround.

Upcoming Deadlines:


The Department issues a Superintendent's Checklist before the start of each school year. Upcoming deadlines from that list include a Nov. 22 deadline for charter schools to submit their end-of-year financial report.

Note: 

There will be no Commissioner's Weekly Update on Friday, November 24, 2017. We wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving!
Leading the Nation logo
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education logo
Copyright © 2017 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, All rights reserved.


Superintendents, assistant superintendents, principals, and charter school leaders will receive the update automatically. For others wishing to receive this update, please subscribe

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

Twitter Facebook You Tube Website