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A message from the
Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education

February 24, 2020
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News from Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Contents:

  1. VISTA Survey Reminder: Last chance to participate!
  2. Picture of the Week: Black History Month Event
  3. Early Learning Networking Opportunities
  4. Workshop Proposals Sought for Civics Literacy Conference
  5. Clarification: Data on In-Field and Out-of-Field Educators
  6. 2020 Future Teacher Signing Day
  7. High School Voter Registration and Pre-Registration Grant

1. VISTA Survey Reminder: Last chance to participate!


The Department’s annual Views of Instruction, State Standards, Teaching, and Assessment (VISTA) survey window will close at the end of this week. The Department urges superintendents and principals to take 15 to 20 minutes to provide its program offices with critical feedback on strategic initiatives. For example, administrators can provide their views on the effectiveness of DESE’s curricular resources and the efficacy of DESE’s social and emotional learning initiatives. Survey respondents can also help prioritize DESE’s supports to districts and schools to recruit a more diverse workforce. To date, only 20 percent of superintendents and principals have responded; please take the opportunity to provide DESE with feedback.

Superintendents and principals should have received individual links to their surveys from Westat on February 3. Anyone who has trouble accessing their survey can email the VISTA Study Help Desk at MAVISTA@westat.com. Anyone with specific questions about the survey itself can email Shelagh Peoples, DESE’s VISTA coordinator, at speoples@doe.mass.edu.

Picture of the Week:

Senior Associate Commissioner Ventura Rodriguez shared personal and professional perspectives with DESE staff on how the efforts of black Americans throughout history have impacted his life. The Department’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee sponsored the Black History Month event.
Ventura Rodriguez speaks to DESE employees.

3. Early Learning Networking Opportunities:


The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and DESE will host three regional early learning networking opportunities in March to consider how to strengthen local and state structures for birth to Grade 3 (B-3) supports and services. Proposed topics include: building structures to support the expansion of high quality early learning opportunities; exploring DESE’s and EEC’s developing curriculum rubric and how it can support instructional practices; and creating safe environments for young children. Please register online. For answers to questions about the networking meetings, please contact a member of the Early Learning Team at (781) 338-3010 or achievement@doe.mass.edu.

4. Workshop Proposals Sought for Civics Literacy Conference:


The Department is looking for educators and organizations to present at the 2020 Civics Literacy Conference, which will be held from 9:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5 at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate! The goal of the workshops is to deepen participants’ knowledge of civics education and increase access to practices, strategies, and resources that support high-quality civics teaching and learning. Workshops will be 40-60 minutes and should target civics in history and social science classes in K-12, as well as interdisciplinary, extracurricular, and enrichment opportunities. Proposals should be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 13 (extended from the original February 28 deadline). For more information regarding proposal priorities, visit the Center for Instructional Support.

5. Clarification: Data on In-Field and Out-of-Field Educators:


The Department has clarified information in the On the Desktop message regarding “Data on In-Field and Out-of-Field Educators”. Please review the updated memo from Commissioner Riley.
 
Due to concerns from the field, DESE has clarified the language in the memo regarding legacy licenses. The Department is not eliminating active and valid legacy licenses. The intent is to signal that the shifts made as a result of the in-field/out-of-field policy will impact all educator licenses, and for licenses that we no longer issue (e.g. legacy licenses), we are providing a two-year implementation period. For example: An Elementary K-8 legacy license holder who was previously covered to teach a course such as physical education or music will be designated out-of-field beginning in January 2022. 
 
The Department will soon post a Frequently Asked Questions document that will cover the questions received since the release of the in-field data. Please direct any questions to: EducatorDevelopment@doe.mass.edu.

6. 2020 Future Teacher Signing Day:


In conjunction with the statewide Teach Mass public awareness campaign, DESE is encouraging districts to consider hosting a Future Teacher Signing Day. Much like when a student athlete commits to play a sport at a specific college, a Future Teacher Signing Day recognizes the graduating seniors who are choosing to pursue a career in education. Hosting such an event acknowledges that teaching is a valuable career worthy of celebration and may help inspire others to become educators.

While districts may hold an event whenever it suits them, DESE encourages officials to consider doing so during Teacher Appreciation Week, which runs from Sunday, May 3 through Saturday, May 9 this year. Schools and districts that plan to host a Future Teacher Signing Day are asked to please contact Brian Devine, director of educator licensure, at bdevine@doe.mass.edu and include the date, time and location of the event.

7. High School Voter Registration and Pre-Registration Grant:


The Department is pleased to announce the High School Voter Registration and Pre-Registration Grant (fund code 575) to promote civic engagement of high school students through initiatives that encourage them to register or pre-register to vote. The maximum award size will depend on how many high schools will be served. Schools that serve students of voting age are also encouraged to download and share this Voting Infographic with students and families. The grant will last until June 30, 2020, with an opportunity to extend it to November 30, 2020. Complete proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. Friday, March 6. Please email Cece Spencer at Cecelia.Spencer@doe.mass.edu with any questions.
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