District and School Accountability

District Reviews

Theory of Action
DESE's Office of District Reviews and Monitoring (ODRM) examines district systems, policies, and practices through written reports. These reports provide information and recommendations that promote systemic improvements and advance equitable student outcomes and experiences.

What is a District Review?

The Office of District Reviews and Monitoring (ODRM) conducts in-depth reviews of school districts, as mandated by M.G.L. c. 15, § 55A . These reviews provide districts with critical information and recommendations for improvement, based on the District Standards and Indicators .

All published district reviews are available on the District Review Reports page.

The Review Process

The review process is broken into four distinct phases which culminate in an in-depth, publicly available report.

The review process is broken into four distinct phases: Preparation, Onsite, Drafting and Publication, Post-Review.

For additional details on each of these phases and the overall review process, please reference the District Review Handbook and the District Review Resources and Guidance page.

Last Updated: July 11, 2025

Featured

  • District Standards and Indicators
    The District Standards and Indicators is DESE's definition of effective district systems, structures, and policies, and the foundation of all district reviews.

Contact Us

For questions about district reviews, please contact the Director of District and School Accountability, Robert Havdala .

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