5. U.S. Presidential Scholarship Nominations Sought:
Commissioner Riley is seeking nominations of high school seniors for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Schools may nominate up to two students (of different genders) in either the general category or the career and technical education student category. Nominations are due via email to Donna Pisaturo at dpisaturo@doe.mass.edu by 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 30. For eligibility criteria and additional information, please download the guidelines for nominations by schools, the individual school form, and the student information form.
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6. New Foster Care Transportation Reimbursement Program:
Title IV-E of the Social Security Act provides federal reimbursement to states for a portion of the cost of services provided to children in foster care. The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), in partnership with DESE and the Department of Children and Families (DCF), has developed a methodology for districts to isolate transportation costs for foster care students returning to their schools of origin. Districts should use this methodology, which is posted on DESE’s transportation finance page, when submitting requests to DESE for Title IV-E reimbursement. After the requests are received, DESE will forward the claims directly to EOHHS’ contractor for processing.
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7. Tuition Rate for Virtual Schools:
The FY20 tuition rate for the two Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual Schools – the Greenfield Commonwealth Virtual School and TEC Connections Academy – is $8,497. This amount was calculated by multiplying the FY19 base tuition rate by the Chapter 70 inflation rate of 1.0375. There is also a $75 per pupil administrative fee, so in FY20, districts will be charged $8,572 per pupil. More details are available in this September 25 memo from the commissioner (download).
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8. Reminder about Survey on Professional Development:
The Department is seeking to better understand the professional development decision-making process in districts across the state. To that end, DESE invites superintendents (or their designee) to complete the District Professional Development Survey by Friday, October 11. Districts’ perspective will help shape the approach and resources that DESE pursues to better support educator growth. This 5-10 minute survey should be completed by a district representative who is involved in decision-making related to professional development providers. For additional information, please email Meagan Comb.
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9. DESE Resource Corner
E-learning about IDEA equitable services/proportionate share: The Office of Special Education Planning and Policy invites districts to explore a new online e-learning resource about IDEA Equitable Services for Children With Disabilities Enrolled by Their Parents in Private Schools (34 CFR §§ 300.130 - 300.144), also known as proportionate share. The eight sections of the self-paced course explain IDEA equitable services through text, regulatory information, graphics, knowledge checks, true/false quizzes, sorting activities, matching games, and more. The course is posted on DESE’s IDEA equitable services webpage and can also be accessed directly via this link. For help with any questions related to IDEA equitable services, please email ideaequitableservices@doe.mass.edu.
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- NewSchools Venture Fund opportunity: NewSchools Venture Fund is hosting a gathering on November 19-20 in San Antonio, Texas for district leaders who are interested in starting new, innovative schools within their districts. The application deadline is 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on October 9. Districts may send up to three participants, and NewSchools will provide selected districts with a stipend of up to $2,000 for travel costs. Anyone with questions can email invent@newschools.org.
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- Jane Ortner Education Award: The Jane Ortner Education Award from the GRAMMY Museum honors a non-music educator who uses music in their classroom. The prize includes a $3,000 personal honorarium and a $1,000 honorarium for their school. Applications are due December 4.
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