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Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE)

School and District Accountability and Assistance Advisory Council

The 15-member Advisory Council on School and District Accountability and Assistance (AAAC) advises the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on matters pertaining to the development and implementation of the Commonwealth's School and District Accountability and Assistance system. To accomplish that goal, the Council reviews and advises the Department and Board on their accountability, assistance, and intervention policies and practices. The Council also reviews and comments on all regulations relative to the accountability and assistance program areas prior to Board approval.

The Board appoints members of the Advisory Council upon recommendation of the Commissioner. In accordance with state law, Council membership must consist of:

  • Six members selected from among three nominees offered by each of the following identified stakeholder groups:
    • Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents
    • Massachusetts Teachers Association or the American Federation of Teachers of Massachusetts
    • Massachusetts Secondary School Administrators Association (now Massachusetts School Administrators' Association)
    • Massachusetts Elementary Principals Association (now Massachusetts School Administrators' Association)
    • Massachusetts Association of School Committees
    • Massachusetts Charter Public School Association
  • One representative of business or industry with a demonstrated commitment to education
  • Eight at large members with demonstrated records of achievement or academic expertise in areas related to accountability and assistance

The AAAC members reflect a broad range of experience and expertise and they have served the council well. Individuals who are interested in bringing similar insight and experience to this advisory group are encouraged to send a letter of interest and resume to Erica Gonzales, staff liaison to the AAAC, at erica.m.gonzales@mass.gov.

Council Members

NameTitleInstitutionMembership Type
Erica BrownChief of Policy and School SupportsMassachusetts Charter Public School AssociationMassachusetts Charter Public School Association representative
Ethan CancellExecutive Director of Assessment, Accountability, Technology & Student Data ResearchBrockton Public SchoolsAt-large
Jason DeFalcoSuperintendent Blackstone-Millville Regional School District At-large
Samuel DePinaSecondary Superintendent of School Operations & SafetyBoston Public SchoolsMassachusetts School Administrators Association representative (secondary)
Heidi DriscollAssistant Superintendent of SchoolsScituate Public SchoolsAt-large
Sharita FaucheCo-DirectorCollaborative Parent Leadership Action Network (CPLAN)At-large
Andre GreenSchool Committee MemberSomerville Public SchoolsMassachusetts Association of School Committees representative
Craig MartinExecutive DirectorBridge Boston Charter SchoolAt-large
Tim PiwowarSuperintendent Billerica Public SchoolsMassachusetts Association of School Superintendents representative
Jennifer RandallAssociate Professor of Research, Educational Measurement & Psychometrics; Associate Dean of Academic AffairsUniversity of Massachusetts AmherstAt-large
Bertha-Elena RojasBoard of Directors, Chair of Advocacy CommitteeMultistate Association for Bilingual Education (MABE)At-large
Ron SanbornPrincipalCharles Jaworek Elementary School (Marlborough Public Schools)Massachusetts School Administrators Association representative (elementary)
Mary SkipperSuperintendent Somerville Public SchoolsAt-large
Nancy UrbschatBusiness OwnerTSM DesignBusiness/industry representative
(vacant)  Teachers union representative

DESE Staff Contact

Erica Gonzales, Liaison to the Council

Meeting Schedule

DateTimeLocation
October 20, 20219:30 AM – 11:00 AMRemote participation — Online
January 12, 20229:30 AM – 11:00 AMRemote participation — Online
March 23, 20229:30 AM – 11:00 AMRemote participation — Online
June 1, 20229:00 AM – 12:00 PMTBD

Meeting Materials and Minutes

Archived meeting materials and minutes will be made available upon request.

Last Updated: October 14, 2021

 
Contact Us

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148-4906

Voice: (781) 338-3000
TTY: (800) 439-2370

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