USED Announces Flexibility Opportunity for Districts:
The U.S. Department of Education recently announced new flexibility for school districts to create student-centered funding systems under a pilot program authorized by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. The flexibility will let school districts combine eligible federal funds with state and local funds in order to allocate resources to schools based on the number of students and level of need. School districts that receive the flexibility will need to award more funding to students from low-income families, English learners, and other groups identified by the school district. Applications for the 2018-19 school year are due March 12, and those for the 2019-20 school are due July 15.
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Applications for Planning for Success Training due Friday, February 16:
Planning for Success is ESE’s recommended strategic planning process for districts. The Department is offering two free training opportunities: one for districts interested in building an annual implementation plan, and one for district staff and others who would like to learn to facilitate development of a multi-year strategic plan.
- The District Action Planning Network (meetings on May 4, June 8, August 3, September 21, and December 7; participants can earn 12 professional development points (PDPs)) is for districts that already have a multi-year strategic plan—whether created through Planning for Success or not—and would like to learn how to develop an annual action plan to implement their district’s strategic initiatives. As one network participant said, “The action planning process has enabled our district to engage a large group of administrators, educators, and stakeholders in moving forward to align and address the goals of the district with actionable steps and well-articulated progress monitoring of outcomes. The… training helped us focus the work in a simplified and manageable process."
- The Facilitator Training for Creating a Multi-Year Plan (April 17-20, participants can earn 24 PDPs) is for people to learn how to facilitate the state’s recommended multi-year district strategic planning process. Participants may include superintendents or other district or school leaders, staff at collaboratives, and independent consultants.
Applications for both programs are available from Lori Likis at lorilikis@ccoaching.com or Kathy Cross at kcross@doe.mass.edu and are due Friday, February 16. The Department will inform selected participants by March 5. Please contact Ms. Likis or Carrie Conaway with any questions about the program.
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VISTA Reminder:
The Department urges superintendents and principals who have not already done so to complete the VISTA 2018 survey. Educator feedback is an essential piece of how ESE determines if the resources it creates are useful. In 2017, for instance, 44 percent of superintendents and 50 percent of principals reported that teachers could to a large extent benefit from support to implement inclusive practices; a large majority of superintendents who used ESE’s Guidebook for Inclusive Practice reported that it was helpful or very helpful.
Results from last year's VISTA surveys are available online. Superintendents and principals who have not received a link to a survey should contact the VISTA Study Help Desk at MAVISTA@westat.com.
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ESE Resource Corner:
Research update: The Department recently posted brief summaries of recent research published on Massachusetts education policy by ESE or other entities. The collection includes recently commissioned policy briefs on teacher effectiveness (download) and class size (download); an issue brief on statewide implementation of the Candidate Assessment of Performance; and reports on dual enrollment (download), the Advancing STEM Advanced Placement program (download), and English learner education in Massachusetts.
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Casting Call for Students:
As part of the Leading the Nation celebration, ESE is working with several vocational technical high schools to produce television and radio spots. The student producers are looking for other students to be in the pieces, and the producers are holding a casting call on Saturday, February 17 at Nashoba Valley Technical High School in Westford. Please share this opportunity with students who might be interested.
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- Lawrence Alliance for Education members announced: On February 6, ESE announced six of the seven members of the Lawrence Alliance for Education, the board that will become receiver of the Lawrence Public Schools when Jeffrey C. Riley steps down. John Connolly, executive director of 1647 in Boston, will chair the board.
- Youth Preparedness Council: The Federal Emergency Management Agency is seeking applicants in grades 8-11 for the Youth Preparedness Council, which brings together teens from across the country who are interested and engaged in community preparedness. Council members are selected based on their dedication to public service, their efforts to make a difference in their communities, and their potential to expand their impact as national leaders for preparedness. Applicants must submit a completed application form, two letters of recommendation, and academic records. All applications and supporting materials must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. PT March 18. New council members will be announced in May.
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- Massachusetts History Day judges needed: Massachusetts History Day, a competition for students in grades 6-12, is looking for judges for its regional semi-finals and state finals. The competition's theme this year is "Conflict and Compromise." Learn more about judging and sign up online. Professional development points are available. The regional competitions take place on Saturday, March 3 (Northeast, South Shore, and Central-West) and Sunday, March 4 (Greater Boston). The state competition will be Saturday, April 7.
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