4. Opportunity to Streamline Technology Management, Evaluation, and Procurement:
As noted in the February 15 Commissioner’s Weekly Update and a May 7 press release, DESE is teaming up with the Massachusetts Personalized Learning Edtech (MAPLE) Consortium to give educators a voice in recommending evidence-based digital instructional tools for districts. Called dCURATE, this 18-month initiative complements DESE’s CURATE (CUrriculum RAtings by TEachers) initiative. The goal of dCURATE is to identify a specific set of digital instructional tools, supported by teacher feedback and emerging evidence of effectiveness, that MAPLE and DESE can make more affordable for districts through collaborative purchasing agreements. Additionally, districts will receive support in protecting the data collected by their digital tools.
Upcoming opportunities include:
- For teachers: Encourage teachers to register by May 31 to learn how to review digital instructional products they use for English language arts, mathematics, and science and technology/engineering. Reviews will be conducted virtually in June, and reviewers are compensated.
- For district staff: District leaders are encouraged to register for a June 4 webinar to learn how to assess their technology management needs, track usage, and further participate in dCURATE.
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5. Puerto Rican Diplomas:
Districts who have high school seniors who were displaced by the 2018 hurricanes in Puerto Rico can still submit documentation to obtain a Puerto Rican diploma for them at https://srx.dde.pr/. Massachusetts district staff who are designated as a “displaced students coordinator” have access or can be granted access to the portal. Please refer to the May 4, 2018 memo from the Puerto Rico Department of Education regarding graduation requirements and the process for obtaining a diploma.
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6. Webinar on Water Quality Funding Sources:
The federal Environmental Protection Agency will hold a Webinar on Water Quality Funding Sources for Schools and Child Care Facilities from 2:00-3:00 p.m. July 9. Interested individuals can register at the link above. More information about lead testing in schools and child care facilities is available online.
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7. District Induction and Mentoring Survey Forms Coming:
On May 31, DESE will release the survey for districts’ 2019 Induction and Mentoring Reports. Reports are required of traditional school districts and Horace Mann charter schools and optional for Commonwealth charter schools.
Individuals designated as induction and mentoring contacts within each district are required to complete the survey before July 31. District officials should review their local Directory Administration and confirm that the contact information is up to date. If the local directory administrator does not provide an induction and mentoring contact, the role defaults to the superintendent.
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8. U.S. Presidential Scholars:
Three Massachusetts students are among the 161 2019 U.S. Presidential Scholars who U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced this week. Megan Elizabeth Brown of Billerica, a student at Shawsheen Valley Vocational Technical High School in Billerica, was recognized for her accomplishments in career and technical education. Ethan M. Coyle of Andover High School and Birukti Tsehaye Tsige of Malden High School were both recognized for their academic accomplishments.
The Presidential Scholars Program also recognized distinguished teachers nominated by the scholars. For Massachusetts, the teachers are and Aimee Sueltenfuss, a science teacher at Shawsheen Valley; Alison DiBenedetto, a computer science teacher at Andover High School; and Paul Marques, a computer science teacher at Malden High School. Congratulations to the students and their teachers!
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9. Green Ribbon Schools Recognized:
State Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides honored 32 energy and environmental education programs at Massachusetts schools and nonprofits at the 25th Annual Secretary’s Awards for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education on May 6. As part of the ceremony, Education Secretary James Peyser recognized the U.S. Department of Education (USED) Green Ribbon Schools awardees from Massachusetts. Congratulations to all!
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- History and social science content support specialist wanted: The Department is seeking a high-performing educator to join the Office for Literacy and Humanities as a history and social science content support specialist. The Department is especially interested in attracting individuals who are conscious of cultural competency and the inequitable distribution of cultural capital and who are committed to equitable access to a high quality education for all children. Candidates should apply via MassCareers no later than May 22. To recommend someone, use the online recruitment form.
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- Statistics in Schools: As part of the lead up to the once-a-decade census count, the Census Bureau’s Statistics in Schools website offers classroom activities and will have new pre-K through 12th grade activities this fall.
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