Family & Community Students & Families Student and Secondary Support

Student Support

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education encourages increased awareness, communication, and collaboration in every district and community. The goal is for people and programs to work better together to effectively support students.

The Department's Student Support Unit works in partnership with districts, community colleges, and other organizations to help students succeed in school and be prepared for higher education, rewarding employment, and responsible citizenship. The unit is a part of the Student and Secondary Support Unit http://www.doe.mass.edu/ssce/sss.html in the Center for Student Support, Career, and Education Services http://www.doe.mass.edu/ssce/.

Student Support Fall Conference - October 12, 2007

Below are brief descriptions of a selection of Department programs that support student engagement and success. All of these programs can be a useful part of a district's comprehensive strategy to raise graduation rates and students' readiness for college and employment.

Programs:

	Academic Support State-funded programs designed to help students in the classes of 2003-2012 gain the skills and knowledge needed to pass the 10th grade English language arts and mathematics MCAS tests (or retests).
	Alternative Education State-funded programs serving "at-risk" students such as those who are pregnant/parenting, truant, suspended or expelled, returned dropouts, delinquent, or students who are not meeting local promotional requirements.
	Community Service Learning (CSL) 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.
	Connecting Activities An initiative designed to drive and sustain the statewide school-to-career system. It leverages the initial federal School to Work investment in Massachusetts that created self-sustaining Local Partnerships throughout the Commonwealth. Funds flow through the 16 local Workforce Investment Boards working in concert with their local Youth Councils to implement school-to-career policy and programming.
	Innovative Program Grants (Title V) Grants that fund a wide range of activities including innovation based on scientific research; the purchase of instructional, library, and media materials; and the implementation of programs to improve school, student, and teacher performance.
	McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance A legislative Act and federally-funded programs that ensure educational rights, protections, and support for children and youth experiencing homelessness.
	Pathways to Success by Age 21 (P-21) A system reform and capacity building initiative at the state and local level established to improve educational and employment outcomes of Massachusetts' most at-risk youth. By creating partnerships, analyzing data, and listening to our youth, we will work to facilitate the necessary transitions that will prepare our youth for adulthood.
	Safe and Supportive Schools Schools that provide an environment that addresses the needs of students who have experienced trauma. State-funded grants and other resources can support these efforts.
	College and Career Readiness An initiative focused on improving high schools and is coordinating efforts to improve the college and career readiness of students through a grade PK-16 strategy.
	21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Programs Federally-funded programs operating during out-of-school hours to provide students with academic enrichment opportunities to complement students' regular academic programs.