Fall 2026
Welcome back to school! It's a pleasure to start the school year in partnership with all of you.
Together last year, we supported 900,500 pre-K–12 students in a variety of settings, plus approximately 27,000 adult learners. You welcomed me to more than 70 schools , and I will continue my visits this year, including several in Western Massachusetts. Our work last year included continued investments in evidence-based practices, such as more Literacy Launch Institutes to spread training in evidence-based early literacy strategies; a multi-year expansion of career technical education seats that connect students with future careers; and the largest Early College expansion in state history.
Our work together is driven by our state learning standards, which are the foundation of Massachusetts' strong public school system. Results from our grades 3–8 Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System MCAS (by one measure the most honest assessment in the nation ) are one way we can see whether schools are giving students access to the state learning standards and the rigor of those standards. When students meet our learning standards by high school, they are more likely to succeed in college. Success in a high-demand field in college, in turn, leads to higher earnings . A college degree remains the most important driver for economic and social mobility, a ticket for students to take advantage of every resource in the Commonwealth. That's why we do this work, and we are realigning our structure and systems here at Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE to be a better partner to you.
This year, we will continue our focus on early literacy and high school experiences:
Early literacy: With the signing of An Act Relative to Teacher Preparation and Student Literacy and the continuation of Literacy Launch, the state is expanding its commitment to bring evidence-based early literacy instruction to every student. Our Literacy Launch page has information about professional development and grants, and we'll continue to keep you informed about the new law's requirements around curriculum, screenings, and educator preparation.
Graduation standards: Governor Healey released the Final Report of the Statewide Graduation Council in June, outlining recommendations for comprehensive high school graduation standards that include coursework (MassCore), end-of-course assessments, post-secondary planning (through My Career and Academic Plan, or MyCAP), and culminating experiences like capstones and portfolios. Right now, we're collecting information on how close districts are to already meeting those standards, and we're strongly encouraging districts to make MassCore a graduation requirement, if they haven't already. I look forward to supporting districts in these efforts and advocating for support as we work to prepare all our students for post-secondary learning and careers.
I want to acknowledge that the fiscal year 2027 budget process was tough for local districts, and I want you to know that I and the rest of Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE want to help you implement strong, evidence-based strategies, such as those used in Literacy Launch and the proposed graduation standards. Please be open about ways that Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE can partner with you, whether through technical support or through opportunities to attend convenings where you learn from each other. We are in this work together, and when we center students and their success, there is nothing we can't do.
Finally, I recognize that our schools aren't immune to non-academic concerns, and I want you to know that I'm proud to stand with our governor and attorney general in their work to protect immigrant families. I was moved by the huge crowd at Governor Healey's signing of the PROTECT Act , which aligns with the guidance the governor issued in May.
Thank you for the work you are doing, and please keep me informed about your successes and challenges so that I can both celebrate and advocate for you.
Sincerely,
Pedro Martinez Commissioner
Last Updated: August 31, 2026