5. Innovation Pathways Workshop for Prospective Applicants:
Schools that are interested in pursuing an Innovation Pathways designation in school year 2020-2021 are invited to participate in an online workshop focused on supporting prospective Innovation Pathways designees. The session will run from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday, June 10 and will feature a panel of school-based pathway educators who will discuss their strategies for successfully planning Innovation Pathways programming. The session will also include resources, guidance, and breakout conversations that will allow participants to either 1) share emerging ideas or planned pathway development and engage in a process to receive peer feedback, or 2) engage in a guided early visioning process. A recording will be available for anyone who cannot join live online on June 10. To participate in the workshop, please register online.
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6. CARES ACT RFP Available:
The RFP for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER Fund) is now posted. This grant, authorized under section 18003 of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), provides districts with emergency relief funds to address the impact that COVID-19 has had and continues to have on elementary and secondary schools.
Districts may choose one of two possible deadlines to submit their ESSER application: Monday, June 15 for funds for FY20 or Wednesday, July 1 for funds for FY21.
The Department’s Federal Grants Office will hold four identical webinars between Wednesday, May 13 and Wednesday, June 10 to provide more detailed information on ESSER funds and the application process. More information is available in the Friday, May 8 On the Desktop message (download) that DESE sent to districts on this subject.
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7. Teacher and Principal Advisory Cabinet Applications Open:
The Department is now accepting applications for the 2020-2021 Teacher and Principal Advisory Cabinet, which brings a diverse range of educators together from across the Commonwealth to inform the development of new policies and resources. As the 2020-2021 school year approaches, DESE needs educators’ voices, ideas and feedback more than ever to help navigate the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on teaching and leading. Cabinet members will share input and experiences relative to this unique context and collaborate on creative, culturally responsive approaches to professional learning and educator evaluation.
The deadline for applications is Monday, June 15 at midnight. For more information, please go to the link above or email educatordevelopment@mass.gov.
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8. ST Math Access for Massachusetts Schools:
Student progress in math is at greatest potential of a “COVID-19 slide,” according to a report that NWEA published in April. To help mitigate student learning loss, the One8 Foundation, MIND Research Institute, and DESE are partnering to give schools access to ST Math at no cost for grades K-6. ST Math (Spatial-Temporal Math), created by MIND Research Institute, is a visual instructional program aligned to grade-level standards that helps students learn through challenging puzzles, non-routine problem solving, and informative feedback. Schools interested in ST Math will be able to use the program over the summer and through the 2020-21 school year. Visit mass.stmath.com for the more information, and please email massprogram@mindresearch.org with any questions.
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9. Free Access to OPTIC Extended:
In partnership with TeachForward, DESE is excited to provide all Massachusetts school districts and preparation providers with free access to OPTIC (Online Platform for Teaching and Informed Calibration) through June 30, 2021. This online professional learning platform houses over 100 videos of K-12 classroom instruction in math, English language arts, and science (History/social studies videos are coming this summer), as well as a new K-12 student writing collection. The calibration tasks allow groups of educators to refine definitions of effective practice; calibrate around perceptions of content-specific, standards-aligned instruction; and identify instructional strategies and key characteristics of high-quality written feedback.
Starting this month, districts will be able to upload their own video and non-video content to the platform for even more customized professional learning. Workshop guides are available online. For more information about using OPTIC, email educatordevelopment@doe.mass.edu.
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10. Massachusetts FAFSA Deadline Extended to July 1:
Massachusetts Commissioner of Higher Education Carlos E. Santiago has approved a recommendation to extend the priority deadline for state financial aid (MASSGrant) until Wednesday, July 1.
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11. Establishing an Online Work Permit Process:
While summer jobs are likely to look different this year, programs like YouthWorks and Connecting Activities are still supporting opportunities for students this summer. Students pursuing summer work - whether traditional in-person positions or structured virtual placements with employers - will need work permits.
With school facilities closed, districts are strongly encouraged to establish a protocol for students to complete the work permit process electronically. Here are some best practices and useful information:
- Develop a simple guidance form and be clear about the technology capabilities needed to complete the process. For example, most will require printing capabilities and the ability to take a picture or scan documents.
- Invite students and families who do not have access to such resources to reach out for assistance.
- Consider best practices and utilization of secure document upload tools to protect students’ personal information.
- Look online for more information and to access work permit forms.
- When working with programs like YouthWorks and Connecting Activities, feel free to connect directly with program staff to address any work permit challenges.
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12. Guidance on Expiring Licenses:
Governor Baker issued an executive order on Wednesday, March 18 extending Massachusetts-issued licenses for certain professionals, including licensed educators. The order states that a license that is "in good standing" as of March 18, 2020 and which expires during the state of emergency will remain valid until 90 days after the end of the state of emergency. Guidance and FAQs related to the executive order are available online.
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13. Retrieving Needed Personal Items from Schools:
After consulting with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, DESE can share that schools and districts can allow teachers, staff, and students limited access to schools on a case-by-case basis to meet an individual’s specific, time-sensitive needs for personal items (e.g. medications, items that would help teachers or staff be more successful in supporting remote learning, and items that would help students either academically or social-emotionally).
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- Advanced Placement test information: The College Board will give this year’s 45-minute online Advanced Placement exams from Monday, May 11 through Friday, May 22 with make-up tests available from June 1–5. Students will be able to take the exams on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. More information is available online. On Thursday, May 7, DESE sent an On the Desktop message to districts with detailed guidance about the circumstances under which a school could allow a very limited number of students to take an Advanced Placement test at a school (download) if the student cannot do so at home
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New Holyoke receiver named: The Department announced on Thursday, May 7 that Alberto Vázquez Matos will become the next superintendent/receiver of the Holyoke Public Schools on Wednesday, July 1.
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- Rennie Center’s Back-to-School Blueprint: The Rennie Center is publishing a series of research-based action guides intended to help schools and community partners implement practices that will address students’ needs when schools reopen and help build a more supportive and high-performing system.
- School Counselor of the Year: The Massachusetts School Counselor Association has named Karen McCrillis, a school counselor at Gardner High School, Massachusetts School Counselor of the Year. Ms. McCrillis will now compete with other state winners for the 2021 national award. Congratulations, Ms. McCrillis!
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