Administration and Finance
Commissioner's Office
District Support
Educational Options
Instructional Support
Kaleidoscope Collective
Legal
Planning and Research
Strategic Initiatives
Student Assessment
Each school is assigned a liaison who is able to respond to inquiries regarding any aspect of charter school accountability.
For general questions and concerns about charter schools please contact charterschools@mass.gov or call 781-338-3227 for assistance.
In conducting accountability visits, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) is carrying out the requirements of the charter school regulations (603 CMR 1.00) which outline the ongoing review of charter schools. The Accountability Visit Protocol is designed to be a resource for charter school leaders, external visitors, the Department staff, and contracted vendors who may conduct accountability visits for the Department. It articulates the types of visits, processes, roles and responsibilities of all parties, and expected outcomes. The Protocol is meant to provide useful information about accountability visits so stakeholders and visitors can know what to expect and how to prepare.
Accountability Visit Protocol — Revised September 2025
Classroom Observation Form — Revised October 2025
The Department seeks external volunteers with expertise in classroom instruction, school leadership, and/or school governance to serve as external site visitors on charter school accountability visits. If you are interested in applying to be a site visitor, please fill out a brief online survey . See below for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about serving as a site visit volunteer.
FAQ for external visitors
Last Updated: October 23, 2025