5. Spring Early Learning Network Meetings:
The Department’s Early Learning Team and teams from the Department of Early Education and Care will host three regional networking opportunities in April. Teams that include a coordinated family and community engagement coordinator, Early Intervention representative, Head Start representative, community-based early education and care representative, and public school early childhood coordinator, special education coordinator, elementary principal and/or district administrator are invited to attend. The meetings will run from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3 at the Holyoke Public Library in Holyoke; Friday, April 5 at the EDCO Collaborative in Bedford; and Wednesday, April 10 at the Falmouth Public Library in Falmouth. More information and registration are available online. Anyone with questions can contact a member of the Early Learning Team at 781-338-3010 or achievement@doe.mass.edu.
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6. Student Government Day:
There are 50 registration slots still available for Student Government Day! The Department is honored to sponsor and coordinate the 72nd annual Student Government Day Program from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 5 at the State House in Boston. This program encourages students from Massachusetts public and private high schools to learn about the structure of state government and become engaged citizens through active participation in the legislative process. Students will assemble at the State House, where most will replicate activities of the General Court (the Massachusetts State Legislature), while others will meet as constitutional officers or as members of the Supreme Judicial Court. The Student Government Day team is also hosting a speech competition to select the student governor for the event. The competition is opened to registered student designees. More information about the speech competition and Student Government Day is available online. Schools are encouraged to select one student designee and one student alternate.
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7. Survey on Draft Arts Curriculum Framework:
The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education recently voted to send the draft updated Arts Curriculum Framework out for public comment. It includes:
- the addition of media arts to the existing disciplines of dance, music, theatre, and visual arts;
- an increased emphasis on the importance of (1) creating original work in the performing arts and (2) presenting in visual and media arts;
- an increased emphasis on responding to the work of other students and to work from masters, with a focus on understanding the context in which art works were created;
- a structure organized around a common set of artistic practices across the five disciplines to encourage integrated instruction and collaboration; and
- ambitious standards that highlight the importance of art as part of a well-rounded education that prepares students for college, careers, and civic participation.
The Department is seeking feedback on the draft and has created a survey at https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/4828710/Public-Comment-Arts-Framework-2019. The survey will be open until April 23.
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8. DESE Resource Corner
The How Do We Know Initiative: Looking for evidence-based interventions? The Department has developed a set of resources to help schools and districts locate evidence-based interventions that address their identified needs. The How Do We Know? web pages include a list of research summaries, literature reviews, and policy briefs as well as a page with links to evidence clearinghouses. The Department is posting new materials on a regular basis and is developing and scheduling trainings for superintendents and principals. Please contact Kendra Winner at kwinner@doe.mass.edu with any requests for assistance with evidence-based interventions.
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