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The Learning Support Services (LSS) unit works in partnership with educators, schools, students, families, and other partners across the Commonwealth to advance the Department's mission. Our programs and initiatives promote a comprehensive and collaborative approach to developing all students' academic, social, emotional, and physical competencies. As students acquire these competencies, barriers to learning are reduced and student potential is maximized.
Examples of LSS program strategies that cultivate student achievement and success include:
- making data-informed decisions to address achievement and proficiency gaps,
- infusing service learning, multi-disciplinary, and/or meaningful project based activities into curricula,
- providing professional development and technical assistance for continuous program improvement,
- engaging families/guardians in student learning,
- creating safe and supportive learning environments,
- fostering positive behavioral health,
- supporting smooth transitions between grades and schools, and
- promoting interagency and school/community collaboration.
Listed below are brief descriptions with links to more information about unit and related initiatives in the Center for Student Support, Career Readiness, and Adult Education.
LSS Unit Programs:
 Extended Learning OpportunitiesExtended learning opportunities provide time beyond the traditional school day to support learning and development in children and youth. High quality programs and initiatives can complement and enhance a student's school experiences, strengthen family involvement and engagement, provide time for teacher collaboration, and fortify school-community partnerships. Through a variety of initiatives and programs, many schools and communities provide comprehensive services for youth to develop academically, physically, emotionally, and civically.
Efforts supported through the LSS unit include the following:
- Federally-funded 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) programs operate during out-of-school hours and engage students in challenging, creative, hands-on, project based activities that connect to and support school day programming while promoting self-expression, critical thinking, and problem solving skills. The 21st CCLC programs provide students with the opportunity to internalize their learning and gain a greater understanding of content areas by embedding academics into rich and engaging activities.
- State-funded After-School and Out-of-School Time (ASOST) Quality Enhancement Grants are designed to increase and enhance comprehensive and effective ASOST programming for students in grades K-12. Grants support children's and youth's academic, social, and emotional development outside of the regular school day, for public and non-public school age students during the school year and over the summer months.
Extended learning opportunities are delivered through many forms. State-funded Expanded Learning Time (ELT) Schools also use longer school days and/or years to help all students in the school meet higher performance standards by providing additional time for core academics, teacher leadership and collaboration, and enrichment opportunities. The Department also supports this work through additional programs and initiatives, such as Charter Schools, Innovation Schools, and School Turnaround Grants.
Kindergarten GrantsState-funded high quality educational programs for children in full-day kindergarten classrooms. (Full-day kindergarten is defined as minimum 5 instructional hours, 5 days a week, 180-days/school year.)
Safe & Healthy Learning EnvironmentsProviding a safe and healthy learning environment is a key to helping students develop essential skills and knowledge necessary for college and career readiness. A wide range of services and supports are needed to create and sustain these learning environments. A number of Department and related resources can help school districts and communities build these environments for all students. These initiatives and resources include but are not limited to the Massachusetts Tiered System of Supports and the following:
- Bullying Prevention & Intervention
The bullying prevention and intervention law, M.G.L. c. 71, § 37O (Chapter 92 of the Acts of 2010), requires all school districts, charter schools, non-public schools, approved private special education day or residential schools, and collaborative schools to develop and adopt bullying prevention and intervention plans. The Department provides guidance and information to assist with this effort, including but not limited to a Model Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan, Guidance on Parental Notification, Special Education Technical Assistance Advisories and resources regarding this anti-bullying law, and Guidelines on Implementing Social and Emotional Learning Curricula.
- Behavioral Health and Public Schools
The Behavioral Health and Public Schools (BHPS) Framework and Assessment Tool were created by the BHPS Task Force and Department between 2009-2011. Both resources are designed to provide guidance as well as help schools assess and set goals regarding activities and strategies that staff and programs engage in to create supportive school environments. The   Final BHPS Task Force Report outlines recommendations to state policy makers related to this work.
- Trauma Sensitive Schools
Schools that provide an environment that addresses the needs of students who have experienced trauma. State-funded Safe and Supportive Learning Environments (SSLE) grants, Integrated Comprehensive Resources in Schools (ICRS) - see FY12 RFP and 2009 Evaluation Executive Summary, and other resources can support these efforts.
Service-Learning (SL) A teaching methodology that integrates community service with academic study to enrich learning, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities. Federally-funded programs help districts implement this methodology.
Related Programs & Efforts
College and Career ReadinessThe College and Career Readiness (CCR) initiative is focused on improving high schools and strengthening the high school diploma for all students, as well as coordinating statewide efforts through a grade PK-16 strategy. Part of this work involves defining "what is college ready" and identifying the types and characteristics of courses that prepare students for success in both college and a career.
Dropout ReductionThe Department's Dropout Reduction website is designed to offer information and resources related to high school dropout prevention, intervention, and recovery in Massachusetts as well as nationally.
Massachusetts Model for Comprehensive School CounselingThe model guides school administrators and counselors in the development of measurably effective school counseling programs and helps counselor education programs to align their curriculum with basic tenets of the Model.
Contact Information
For more information on LSS or related programs, contact unit staff or:
Rachelle Engler Bennett,
Director of Learning Support Services
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street Malden, MA 02148
Email: achievement@doe.mass.edu
Phone: 781-338-3010/ Fax: 781-338-3090
last updated: January 17, 2012
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