Commissioner's Weekly Update

2020

January 3, 2020

1. AAAC Meeting Notice and Call for Nominations
2. Picture of the Week: Teacher of the Year at the Celtics
3. Supporting Adult Social-Emotional Learning and Well-Being
4. School-Based Medicaid Program Trainings

2019

December 20, 2019

1. Expanded Call Center Hours
2. Pictures of the Week: Gingerbread Houses at the State House
3. Winter 2020 Perkins Implementation Sessions
4. Board Meetings Canceled
5. Happy Holidays!

December 13, 2019

1. Board to Meet
2. Picture of the Week: Cambridge Rindge and Latin School Black Student Union
3. Kaleidoscope Collective for Learning Finalists
4. Free Two-Day MTSS Planning Institute
5. Seeking Arts Educators, Artists, and Art Experts
6. New Skills for Youth Recap
7. DESE Resource Corner: Digital literacy and computer science support
8. For Your Info:
   • Limited Space Available for January DLCS district implementation planning workshops
   • STEM Teacher of the Year

December 6, 2019

1. Perkins V Opportunities for Public Comment
2. Picture of the Week: Milken Educator Award
3. Edwin Office Hours
4. School Immunization Surveys
5. Youth Mental Health First Aid Certified Instructor Training
6. DPH Survey on Mosquito-Borne Illnesses
7. Survey on New Customer Service Call Center Hours
8. Gifted and Talented Education Advisory Council
9. DESE Resource Corner: Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ Students
10. For Your Info:
    • Innovative Schools Learning Excursion
    • Selective Service

November 27, 2019

1. Message from Commissioner Riley about the Student Opportunity Act
2. Free Healthy Schools Program Professional Development Opportunities
3. Financial Literacy Planning and Implementation Grant
4. Civics Teaching and Learning Grant
5. New Digital Literacy Now Grant Program
6. Become a Massachusetts Literacy Champion
7. DESE Resource Corner: Guidelines for Preschool and Kindergarten Learning Experiences
8. For Your Info:
   • Profiles in Courage essay contest
   • STEM Teacher Leadership Network

November 22, 2019

1. Board Recap
2. Picture of the Week: Milestones Day School
3. Student Opportunity Act
4. Release of FAFSA Reports in Edwin
5. Reminder on High-Quality Curriculum: A Foundation for Student Success
6. New RADAR Tool and RADAR Webinars Available
7. Massachusetts Partnership for Infants & Toddlers Family Survey
8. Learning Opportunities for Arts Educators
9. Assistance with E-rate and Network Upgrades
10. For Your Info:
    • Massachusetts Fiscal Mapping Tool from EdRedesign
    • National History Day

November 15, 2019

1. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to Meet
2. Pictures of the Week: Sharing for Success Dissemination Fair
3. Webinar for Elementary Principals on Trauma-Informed Practices
4. Breakfast After the Bell Mandate
5. Elementary Principals December Network Sessions
6. High-Quality Curriculum: A Foundation for Student Success
7. High School Computation Science Pathway Project Awarded
8. Action Required for FY2021 Grant Applicants
9. DESE Resource Corner: A Parent's Guide to Special Education
10. For Your Info:
    • Poetry Out Loud for High Schools

November 8, 2019

1. Additional Application Webinar for Kaleidoscope Collective for Learning
2. Picture of the Week: Somerville High School and the Boston Chamber Music Society
3. Digital Literacy and Computer Science Convening
4. Gingerbread House Building Competition
5. Service-Learning Connect Science Energy and Design Institutes Grant
6. Registration Open for Student Government Day
7. Cybersecurity Grants
8. For Your Info:
   • The Big Read
   • Native American Heritage Month

November 1, 2019

1. Application Webinar for Kaleidoscope Collective for Learning
2. Picture of the Week: Innovation Pathways Programs
3. Board Recap
4. Charter School Amendments and Renewals
5. Dropout Prevention and Re-Engagement Convening
6. NAEP Results Released

October 25, 2019

1. Board to Meet
2. Pictures of the Week: STEM Week
3. Civics Project Guidebook
4. EEC Community Learning Sessions
5. Reminder on U.S. Presidential Scholarship Nominations
6. Green Ribbon School and District Opportunity
7. School Counselors - Ensuring All Students are Future Ready
8. Concurrent Enrollment Grant Opportunity

October 18, 2019

1. Applicants Sought for Sontag Prize
2. Pictures of the Week: Influence 100 and InSPIRED Fellows
3. College and Career Advising and MyCAP
4. Accountability and Assistance Advisory Council to Meet
5. PAEMST Winners
6. School Safety Grants
7. DESE Resource Corner: The Great Fight for Disabilities Rights
8. For Your Info: DLCS district implementation planning workshops

October 11, 2019

1. Application Open for the Kaleidoscope Collective for Learning
2. Picture of the Week: Symposium on Latinx Students
3. Registration Open for "Sharing for Success" Dissemination Fair
4. New Afterschool and Summer Grant Opportunity
5. VOCAL Webinar
6. Fall Healthy Schools Wellness Webinar Series
7. Grants for Breakfast After the Bell
8. Bilingual Education Endorsement
9. For Your Info:
   • Puerto Rican diaspora summit
   • Nominations Open for Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award

October 4, 2019

1. Nominations and Applications Open for Teacher of the Year
2. Picture of the Week: Andover High School
3. Requests for Waivers from Computer-Based Testing
4. OPTIC Roadshow
5. U.S. Presidential Scholarship Nominations Sought
6. New Foster Care Transportation Reimbursement Program
7. Tuition Rate for Virtual Schools
8. Reminder about Survey on Professional Development
9. DESE Resource Corner: E-learning about IDEA equitable services/proportionate share
10. For Your Info:
    • NewSchools Venture Fund opportunity
    • Jane Ortner Education Award

September 27, 2019

1. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Meeting
2. 2019 National Green Ribbon Honorees
3. 2019 National Blue Ribbon Schools
4. Civic Engagement Champion
5. MCAS and Accountability Results
6. FY20 Educator Diversification RFP
7. Registration Last Call for Leading with Access and Equity Convening
8. Edwin "Office Hours" Webinars
9. For Your Info:
   • Teacher Collaborative Co-Labs

September 20, 2019

1. Board to Meet
2. Picture of the Week: STEM Day at Fenway
3. MCAS and Accountability Results to Be Released
4. SIMS Early Childhood Experiences Data Element
5. Innovation Schools Annual Evaluation Now Overdue
6. Space Still Available for EWIS and VOCAL Training Opportunities
7. MTEL Vouchers
8. Survey on Professional Development
9. Changes in Reporting for Postsecondary Students in Chapter 74 Programs
10. Charter School Applications
11. Changes to ELA MCAS Test Design
12. For Your Info:
    • Rightfully Yours art competition
    • Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

September 13, 2019

1. Teacher Diversification RFP
2. Pictures of the Week: DESE All Staff Meeting Presenters
3. New Board Member
4. Pilot of Elementary Social and Emotional Learning Resources
5. MTEL Item Review Conference
6. DLCS Ambassadors Available
7. Free Access to Research Databases
8. For Your Info:
   • STEM Week Challenge
   • Holiday Cards for Our Military Challenge
   • Name the Mars 2020 Rover

September 6, 2019

1. Early College Statewide Convening
2. Picture of the Week: Holyoke Pre-K and Kindergarten Celebration
3. Chapter 74 "After Dark" Launch Event
4. Early Learning Networking and PD
5. College and Career Advising and MyCAP
6. Symposium on Latinx Students
7. Request for Waiver from Limit on Alternate Assessments
8. Registration Open for Leading with Access and Equity Convening
9. Model System for Educator Evaluation Updated
10. For Your Info:
    • STEM Week Challenge
    • Rocket Science Co-Lab

August 30, 2019

1. Memorandum on School Fire Drills
2. Picture of the Week: Newton School in Greenfield
3. Significant Disproportionality in Special Education
4. Minimum Grade 10 ELA and Math Scaled Scores for Interim CD Requirement
5. EWIS and VOCAL Opportunities
6. Chapter 74 New Program Applications
7. DESE Resource Corner: Back-to-school resources
8. For Your Info:
   • STEM Week Challenge

August 23, 2019

1. EWIS and VOCAL Data Release
2. Picture of the Week: Canton Public Schools Prepares for STEM Week
3. Openings on Parent and Community Education and Involvement Advisory Council
4. Applications for the InSPIRED* Fellowship Are Now Open
5. Center for Instructional Support Professional Development Opportunities
6. For Your Info:
   • STEM Week Challenge
   • Mitigating lead in drinking water
   • Equine encephalitis (EEE) disease

August 16, 2019

1. EWIS and VOCAL Data Release and Training Opportunity
2. Picture of the Week: State Student Advisory Council
3. Accountability and Assistance Advisory Council Nominations
4. Openings on Digital Learning Advisory Council
5. Anti-Hazing Data Collection Procedures
6. Charter School Prospectuses
7. For Your Info:
   • Project Lead The Way STEM Week Challenge
   • Mass IDEAS School Design Institute

August 9, 2019

1. Arts Education Ambassadors
2. Picture of the Week: Summer Institute for Literacy Leadership

August 2, 2019

1. FY20 Budget Signed
2. Picture of the Week: Deeper Learning at Warren Community Elementary
3. Recording on MCAS Preliminary Data and Discrepancy Process

July 26, 2019

1. Deeper Learning Reminder
2. Picture of the Week: Thompson Island Outward Bound
3. Superintendents' Checklist
4. Preliminary 2019 MCAS Data
5. Teams Needed to Test Drive a How Do We Know? Toolkit
6. New Innovation Pathways Designations
7. For Your Info:
   • Statistics in Schools Ambassadors
   • Summer Nights Initiative

July 19, 2019

1. Note about July Local Education Aid Payments
2. Picture of the Week: Summer Learning at Courageous Sailing
3. District Reviewers Sought
4. Professional Development Provider Registry Application
5. Competitive FY20 Safe and Supportive Schools Grant

July 12, 2019

1. Deeper Learning and the Kaleidoscope Collective for Learning Pilot Program
2. Picture of the Week: Young Queens and Kings Scholar Program from Edison K-8 School in Boston
3. Massachusetts PAEMST Finalists
4. Early College Designation Opportunity
5. Memo on Significant Disproportionality in Special Education
6. Free Access to Electronic Databases
7. For Your Info:
   • Teaching and Learning International Survey
   • Building a collective vision of graduates

June 28, 2019

1. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Recap
2. Picture of the Week: Pathways Inc. Adult Education and Training
3. New Policy for Additional Educator Licensure Hardship Waivers
4. Plans for the MCAS ELA and Mathematics Retests
5. Innovation Schools Annual Evaluation
6. Alternative Structured Learning Day Programs
7. For Your Info: Leadership Grant; Summer Internship

June 21, 2019

1. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to Meet
2. Picture of the Week: Educators Honored at State House
3. Instructional Support Program Offerings
4. 2019 MCAS Early Release Files and Discrepancy Reporting
5. Special Education Leadership Institutes
6. Release of Spring 2019 MCAS Test Questions
7. Reminder about MCAS Computer-Based Testing Expectation for 2020
8. Important Information about High School STE Tests
9. Principals of the Year
10. For Your Info:
    • Mass IDEAS School Design Institute

June 14, 2019

1. Free Two-Day MTSS Leadership Institute
2. Picture of the Week: Pride Month
3. Problem Resolution System Goes Paperless
4. Early Literacy Grants
5. Surveys on BCBAs
6. Courses on Social Emotional Learning and Approaches to Play and Learning
7. Call for Presentations for Dissemination Fair
8. Printing School and District Report Cards
9. Early College Designations
10. Influence 100 Reminder
11. For Your Info:
    • Mass Learning Excursions

June 7, 2019

1. Dual Language Program Training
2. Picture of the Week: Schools of Recognition
3. Reminder about Distinguished Teachers and Principals
4. Influence 100 Reminder
5. For Your Info:
   • Family engagement specialist wanted
   • Condition of Education 2019
   • Behavioral health system listening sessions

May 31, 2019

1. Reminder on Restraint Reporting
2. Picture of the Week: Bristol County Agricultural High School
3. Edwin "Office Hours"
4. Educator Survey on Family Engagement
5. Influence 100 Pilot District Application Is Open
6. Save the Date - Leading with Access and Equity Convening
7. For Your Info: Excellence through Social Emotional Learning (exSEL) Network

May 24, 2019

1. Board Meeting Recap
2. Picture of the Week: Culinary Throwdown at the Healthy Kids, Healthy Programs Summit
3. U.S. Green Ribbon Schools
4. Accountability and Assistance Advisory Council to Meet
5. Reminder: Comments Sought on Proposed Changes to Accountability System
6. Dissemination Fair
7. Drinking Water Guidance from MassDEP
8. Civic Engagement Champions
9. Influence 100 Pilot District Application Is Open
10. For Your Info: RESPECTfully

May 17, 2019

1. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to Meet
2. 2020 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year
3. 2019 Summer Food Service Program Application Available
4. Digital Literacy and Computer Science Ambassadors
5. Information on 2019-20 Charter School Application Cycle
6. Influence 100 Pilot District Application Is Open
7. Looking Forward
8. For Your Info: Civic engagement awards program for middle school teachers

May 10, 2019

1. Future Teacher Signing Days
2. Deadline to Apply for MCAS Standard-Setting Panels Extended
3. Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program Training
4. Opportunity to Streamline Technology Management, Evaluation, and Procurement
5. Puerto Rican Diplomas
6. Webinar on Water Quality Funding Sources
7. District Induction and Mentoring Survey Forms Coming
8. U.S. Presidential Scholars
9. Green Ribbon Schools Recognized
10. For Your Info:
    • History and social science content support specialist wanted
    • Statistics in Schools

May 3, 2019

1. Free Two-Day MTSS Leadership Institute
2. Evaluating Science Materials Network Opportunity
3. Spring Event for Elementary Principals
4. Influence 100 Pilot District Grant Coming
5. License Renewal Reminder
6. For Your Info: Teacher Appreciation Week

April 26, 2019

1. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Meeting
2. Picture of the Week: Chinese Educators Visit Technical Schools
3. Dropout Prevention and Re-Engagement Spring Convening
4. Gifted Education Meetings
5. RADAR Benchmarking Data
6. Mental Health Consortium Meetings in Western Mass.
7. Registration Open for Civics and Social Science Events
8. Help Us Identify Distinguished Educators
9. Financial Education Survey

April 19, 2019

1. Board to Meet
2. Picture of the Week: Brockton High School
3. New Innovation Pathways
4. For Your Info:
   • Family engagement webinar
   • Guide to school climate resources

April 12, 2019

1. Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Academies Webinar
2. Picture of the Week: Student Government Day
3. Significant Disproportionality Webinars
4. Members Sought for Parent and Community Education and Involvement Advisory Council
5. Spring Event for Elementary Principals
6. Comments Sought on Proposed Changes to Accountability System
7. Reminder about School Choice Reporting Requirement
8. DESE Resource Corner: Resources to support standards-aligned teaching and learning
9. For Your Info:
   • Splash at Harvard
   • STEM Week planning

April 5, 2019

1. Message from Commissioner Riley about the 10th Grade English Language Arts MCAS
2. Picture of the Week: Recruiting Teachers
3. Teacher of the Year Finalists and Semifinalists
4. Innovation Pathways Designation and Application Process for SY2019-2020
5. DESE's Student Councils Seek New Members for 2019-2020
6. Resources for Adults Who Need to Improve Their Literacy Skills or Learn English
7. Implementing Your District Plan and Aligning Resources (Planning for Success)
8. Spring Convening of the Dropout Prevention and Reengagement Work Group
9. Joint Letter on Vaping, Marijuana, and Opioid Risks
10. VISTA 2019: Thank you!
11. For Your Info: Webinar on evidence-based interventions

March 29, 2019

1. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
2. Picture of the Week: Family Institute for Student Success Pilot
3. Last Chance for VISTA
4. Future Teacher Signing Days
5. Edwin "Office Hours" Webinars
6. Vacancies on State Special Education Advisory Council
7. State Seal of Biliteracy Program
8. DESE Resource Corner: Updated staff and student feedback surveys available
9. For Your Info:
   • First NESSC Massachusetts State Champion
   • Conference on vaping and adolescents

March 22, 2019

1. Kairos: Mapping Our Way Forward
2. Picture of the Week: Scenes from Kairos
3. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to Meet
4. Additional Funding to Support Hurricane Evacuees from Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands
5. MCAS Resources
6. Career and Technical Education Partnership Grants
7. VISTA 2019: Please participate
8. For Your Info:
   • Governor files Innovation Zone legislation
   • Free one-day dental clinic for kids

March 15, 2019

1. Save the Dates for Civics and Social Science Events
2. Picture of the Week: Massachusetts Girls in Trades Conference & Career Fair
3. Elementary Principals Network Meetings
4. Accountability and Assistance Advisory Council to Meet
5. Extension of VISTA 2019 Survey
6. MCAS Reminders
7. School Safety and Security Grant Opportunity
8. Massachusetts 21st Century Community Learning Centers Technical Assistance
9. Spring Early Learning Network Meetings
10. Kairos Conference
11. For Your Info:
    • Songwriting Challenge
    • Summer accounting programs for high school students
    • Survey of volunteer sector

March 8, 2019

1. Math Pathways Regional Meetings
2. Picture of the Week: Hildreth Elementary School in Harvard
3. VISTA 2019 Survey Reminder
4. Kairos Conference
5. Webinar on Renewing a Professional License
6. Registration Open for Science and Math Institute

March 1, 2019

1. Safe and Supportive Schools Statewide Conference
2. Picture of the Week: Holyoke STEM Academy
3. Additional Planning for Success Workshop Dates and Locations
4. Elementary Principals Network Meetings
5. Spring Early Learning Network Meetings
6. Student Government Day
7. Survey on Draft Arts Curriculum Framework
8. DESE Resource Corner: The How Do We Know Initiative

February 15, 2019

1. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Meeting
2. Picture of the Week: Charlton Street Elementary School in Southbridge
3. MCAS Updates
4. Grant to Increase Student Access to Behavioral and Mental Health Services
5. Potential State Support for Fiber Upgrades
6. Identifying Strong Digital Tools
7. New Grant for Summer Programming
8. VISTA 2019 Survey Reminder
9. For Your Info: Advanced Placement success

February 8, 2019

1. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to Meet
2. Picture of the Week
3. 2019 Massachusetts Green Ribbon Schools Announced
4. 2018 School and District Report Cards
5. Teacher Diversification Pilot Program
6. Prevention of Substance Use/Misuse and Promotion of Social and Emotional Learning
7. Digital Learning Day Countdown
8. Building Inclusive Communities in Early Childhood
9. Public Comment Open on Revised Guidelines for Reading Specialist License
10. VISTA 2019 Survey Reminder

February 1, 2019

1. School Choice Reporting Requirement for the 2019-2020 School Year
2. Picture of the Week: UP Academy Holland
3. DESE Resource Corner: Black History Month
4. For Your Info:
   • School Counseling Week
   • Summer Food Service Program
   • Barriers to parent involvement

January 25, 2019

1. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Meeting
2. Picture of the Week: Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children
3. Governor's Budget Proposal
4. Webinars on Benchmarks for English Learners
5. VISTA 2019 Survey Window is Open
6. Planning for Success
7. Massachusetts WIC Program Remains Open
8. For Your Info: Quality Counts

January 18, 2019

1. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Meetings
2. Picture of the Week: InSPIRED Fellows
3. Help Keep Teachers Passionate about Teaching
4. Deadline Extended for Personalized Learning Survey for Principals
5. Career and Technical Education Webinars
6. Skills Capital Grants
7. Grants for Financial Education Fairs

January 11, 2019

1. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to Meet
2. Picture of the Week: Teachers' Varied Roles
3. School/Community Based Targeted Intervention Services Grant
4. Program Quality Workgroup
5. Elementary Principals Network Meetings
6. Integrating Elementary Computational Thinking in Science and Mathematics Curricula
7. Summer Planning Grants for High-Quality Instruction
8. Update on Federal Funding for Nutrition Programs
9. For Your Info:
   • Supporting a diverse and learner-ready workforce
   • Used computers available

January 4, 2019

1. Student Discipline
2. Picture of the Week: Bristol Community College's Step Up to College Transition Program
3. Green Ribbon Schools Application Deadline
4. E-rate Funding Year 2019 Application Window Opens January 16
5. Planning for Success Training Opportunities
6. For Your Info: League of Innovative Schools — Massachusetts Network

2018

December 21, 2018

1. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Meeting
2. Picture of the Week: Influence 100 Design Team
3. Changes to Placement Process for Higher Education Developmental Courses
4. Timeline for Implementing the Civics Law and the History and Social Science Framework
5. Elementary Principals Network Meetings
6. Large Number of Licensure Renewals Expected
7. For Your Info: Earthwatch Institute Teacher Fellowships

December 14, 2018

1. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to Meet
2. Picture of the Week: Northampton High School
3. Dyslexia Web Page
4. Registration for January MCAS Training Sessions Now Available
5. Views of Instruction, State Standards, Teaching, and Assessment (VISTA) Survey
6. Prevention of Substance Use/Misuse and Promotion of Social and Emotional Learning
7. For Your Info:
   • Healthy Schools, Healthy People
   • Massachusetts History Day Competition

December 7, 2018

1. Comprehensive School Health Service Affiliated Program
2. Picture of the Week: Paton Elementary School, Shrewsbury
3. Safe Routes to School Grants Available
4. For Your Info:
   • Webinar on evidence-based decision making
   • Poetry Out Loud

November 30, 2018

1. Board Recap and Commenting on CD Regulations on High School Science
2. Picture of the Week: Pioneer Charter School of Science II
3. Accountability and Assistance Advisory Council Meeting and Call for Nominations
4. InSPIRED Fellowship Opportunity
5. Grant Opportunity: Empowering Educators through Autonomy Planning
6. Personalized Learning Survey for Principals
7. Nominations Open for Massachusetts Teacher of the Year
8. Planning for Success Training Opportunities
9. For Your Info: Webinar on SEL and family and community partnerships

November 16, 2018

1. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to Meet
2. Picture of the Week: New Bedford
3. Reminder on Creating New English Learner Education Programs and Available Grants
4. Edwin is Getting a New Look!
5. Attendance and Suspension Monitoring Report
6. Reminder on Alternative Structured Learning Day Programs
7. For Your Info:
   • Doing High School Differently
   • Grants to police departments will also benefit schools
   • The Big Read

November 9, 2018

1. Webinars on LOOK Act Opportunities
2. Picture of the Week: Phoenix Charter School Lawrence
3. Rethinking Discipline Convening
4. Winter Early Learning Network Meetings
5. Nominations Open for Teacher Recognition Programs
6. Upcoming Deadlines: FY18 Charter School End of Year Financial Report
7. For Your Info:
   • Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools

November 2, 2018

1. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Meeting Recap
2. Upcoming Technology Webinar
3. Plan Now for Annual Student Government Day in April
4. Updated RADAR Reports, Webinars, and Online Tutorial
5. Save the Date for Convening on Homeless and Hungry Students
6. Public Hearings Scheduled on Proposed Charter Schools
7. Elementary Principals Professional Development Series
8. For Your Info:
   • SouthCoast Education Summit on SEL
   • GEAR UP continues
   • Communication survey

October 26, 2018

1. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to Meet
2. Picture of the Week: Massachusetts STEM Week
3. Math Alignment Summit
4. Panelists Sought for Health Curriculum Framework Review
5. Deadline Extended for Systemic Student Support (S3) Academy
6. School Health Services Grant
7. DESE Resource Corner: Policy brief on curricular materials
8. For Your Info:
   • The New Look of Nicotine Addiction
   • Governor signs supplemental budget
   • Kraemer Intergenerational Story Contest
   • Mass IDEAS Planning Grant Request for Learning
   • Latino Advisory Commission

October 19, 2018

1. Librarian Surprised with Milken Educator Award
2. Upcoming Technology Webinar
3. EPA Webinars on Drinking Water Guidance
4. Charter School Amendments/Renewals
5. History and Social Science Instructional Planning and Implementation Grant
6. Volunteers Sought for Licensure Panel Review
7. U.S. Presidential Scholarship Nominations Sought
8. For Your Info:
   • Training opportunity on mental health screening
   • Reading featured in USED blog

October 12, 2018

1. Update on Alternative Structured Learning Day Programs
2. Picture of the Week: Latino Community Forums
3. Waiver Requests for Computer-Based MCAS Testing Due
4. Grant Opportunity for CVTE Programs
5. Two Groups Invited to Submit Final Applications for New Charter Schools
6. Charter School Expansion Requests
7. For Your Info: Two schools recognized for innovation

October 5, 2018

1. National Blue Ribbon Schools
2. Picture of the Week: Aviation Maintenance Technology at Westfield Technical Academy
3. Additional Translations of Press Release on MCAS and Accountability Results
4. Accountability and Assistance Advisory Council to Meet
5. Systemic Student Support (S3) Academy
6. U.S. Senate Youth Scholarship
7. DESE Resource Corner: Student Assessment Updates
8. For Your Info:
   • World War I Centennial Eighth Grade Art Competition
   • Early college visit
   • Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

September 28, 2018

1. MCAS and Accountability Results
2. Picture of the Week: Holyoke High School Early College Programs
3. October is Dyslexia Awareness Month
4. Training Sessions on the Spring 2019 MCAS Grade 10 Next-Generation Tests
5. Rethinking Discipline Initiative Convening
6. U.S. Presidential Scholarship Nominations Sought
7. STEM Week
8. Public Comment Open for Proposed Changes to Hearing Rules for Special Education Appeals
9. Green Ribbon Schools Application Process Open

September 21, 2018

• Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Meeting
• Picture of the Week: Oak Middle School, Shrewsbury
• Embargoed Release of Assessment and Accountability Data
• Hurricane Recovery Assistance for Homeless Students
• Prevention of Substance Misuse and Promotion of Social and Emotional Learning
• Registration Open for Building Inclusive Communities Conference
• For Your Info:
  • Mass IDEAS Planning Grant Request for Learning

September 14, 2018

• Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to Meet
• Picture of the Week: DESE All Staff Meeting
• Courses on Social Emotional Learning and Approaches to Play and Learning
• Registration Open for Leading with Access and Equity Conference
• Save the Date for Building Inclusive Communities in Early Childhood Event
• DESE Resource Corner: Resources to support standards-aligned teaching and learning
• For Your Info:
  • Comment on NAEP achievement levels

September 7, 2018

• Reminder about Privacy of Employee Information
• Picture of the Week: Early College
• MassHealth School-Based Medicaid Program Expansion Update
• Chap. 74 New Program Application Process Open
• Model MOU for School Resource Officers
• ESE Resource Corner: Massachusetts educator licensure video series
• For Your Info:
  • Back to school facts
  • September 11 volunteer opportunities
  • Constitution Day
  • Every Kid in a Park

August 31, 2018

• Early Warning Indicator System Reports Live in Edwin
• Picture of the Week: Wire Village Elementary School in Spencer
• Digital Connections Initiative
• Redesigning School and District Report Cards
• Home and Hospital Form
• Request for Waiver from Limit on Alternate Assessments

August 24, 2018

• Spots Available for PBIS and Tiered Literacy Academies
• Picture of the Week: School Safety Roundtable
• Regional Meetings to Inform a Family Engagement Framework
• Competitive FY19 Safe and Supportive Schools Grant
• Public Comment Open on Draft Guidelines for Use of English Proficiency Benchmarks
• Opportunity for Educators to Serve on MCAS Committees
• ESE Resource Corner: Research update

August 17, 2018

• Commissioner's Back-to-School Resources
• Picture of the Week: METCO Visit
• Preliminary 2018 MCAS Data
• New Subject Matter Knowledge Guidelines
• DESE Ombudsperson for Private School Students with Disabilities
• 2018-2019 Online Restraint Data Collection Tool is Now Open
• Early Warning Indicator System (EWIS) Reports coming to Edwin
• The Anti-Hazing Data Collection

August 10, 2018

• Early Grades Literacy Grant Program
• Picture of the Week: Elm Park Community School
• Charter School Prospectuses and Expansion Requests
• Updated Model Rubrics for Classroom Teachers and Principals
• Early College Programs
• For Your Info:
  • Clean energy grants
  • Mass IDEAS School Design Institute
  • Fran Pratt Award

August 3, 2018

• Introduction to RADAR (Resource Allocation and District Action Reports)
• Picture of the Week: Summer Food Service Program in Webster
• Medical Emergency Response Plan Reminder
• ESE Resource Corner: Research summaries, literature reviews, and policy briefs

July 27, 2018

• Superintendents' Checklist: Updated Version Posted
• Picture of the Week: Civics Education Institute
• SEI Endorsement: New requirements for CVT Educators
• Innovation Pathways Designation: Upcoming Information Sessions
• Instructional Support Networks: Registration Open
• Final FY19 State Budget

July 20, 2018

• New Equity Roadmap Resources
• Picture of the Week: House METCO Caucus
• Digital Connections Partnership Schools Grants Awarded
• Give Feedback on Proposed Refinements to Educator Evaluation Model Rubrics

July 13, 2018

• Baker-Polito Administration Proposes Education and School Safety Package
• Picture of the Week: SkillsUSA State Officers Team
• Advisory on Janus Decision
• Early Warning Indicator System Release Update
• McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Grants
• Hate Crime Listening Session

July 6, 2018

• Second Installment of Hurricane Aid Distributed
• Picture of the Week: Boston Renaissance Charter Public School
• Upcoming Deadline for Homeless and Foster Care Student Data Collection
• Two Online Courses for Early Childhood Educators

June 29, 2018

• Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
• Picture of the Week: PAEMST Winners
• Board Meeting Recap
• Summer Food Service Program
• AEDs and Updated Medical Emergency Response Plans
• MCAS Updates
• For Your Info:
  • Excellence through Social Emotional Learning (exSEL) Network
  • Commissioner Mitchell D. Chester honored

June 22, 2018

• Teachers Honored
• Picture of the Week: Massachusetts History Teacher of the Year
• Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to Meet
• New Path Toward Licensure
• New Process for Special Education Licensure Waivers
• College and Carer Advising Professional Development Series
• Deadline Approaching for Feedback on Subject Matter Knowledge Guidelines
• Openings on Racial Imbalance Advisory Council
• E-Cigarettes and Vaping Devices
• DPH Survey to Inform Comprehensive School Health Services Programs
• For Your Info:
  • Skills Capital Grants

June 15, 2018

• Early Grades Literacy Grants
• Picture of the Week: Shrewsbury High School
• RADAR and FY18 End of Year Report Summer Workshops
• Teachers Sought for CURATE Fellowship
• Early Warning Indicator System (EWIS) Release Update
• Instructional Support Networks
• Private School Students with Disabilities
• For Your Info:
  • Personalized learning summit
  • NGLC Mass. learning excursions

June 8, 2018

• Curriculum Resources
• Picture of the Week: Student Board Member
• Federal Grant Programs Website
• Change to Early Childhood Special Education Grant
• Principal and Teacher Advisory Cabinets Open for Applications through June 29
• Reading Specialist Subject Matter Knowledge Standards
• Save the Date for Symposium on Chronic Absenteeism
• Reminder on Spring 2018 Grades 3–8 Computer-Based MCAS Preliminary Embargoed Data Files
• For Your Info:
  • Free Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles training available
  • Project Here grant opportunity extended

June 1, 2018

• Updates on Social and Emotional Learning
• Picture of the Week: Goddard School of Science and Technology in Worcester
• Innovation Pathway Designations and Grants Announced

May 25, 2018

• Board Meeting Recap
• Picture of the Week: Teacher Advisory Cabinet
• Supplemental Budget
• Professional Development Opportunities about Safe and Supportive Learning Environments
• Online MCAS Questionnaire for Schools on Computer-Based Testing
• 21st Century Community Learning Centers Additional Learning Time Grant Posted
• Middle Grades Math Virtual Book Study
• Information on 2018-19 Charter School Application Cycle
• For Your Info:
  • MASS urging students to register to vote
  • Principals' role in inclusive schools
  • Blue Ribbon School video

May 18, 2018

• Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to Meet
• Picture of the Week: Declaration Day at Springfield Renaissance School
• Green Ribbon Schools
• Uploading Licensure Documents
• Expanded Licensure Call Center Hours
• Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Academies
• Middle Grades Math Institute
• Subject Matter Knowledge Guidelines Update
• ESSA Foster Care Provisions
• Early College Designations
• For Your Info:
  • STEM Week
  • Summer Stride

May 11, 2018

• Massachusetts Teacher of the Year
• Additional Funding to Support Displaced Students
• Board to Hold Special Meeting
• Family Survey on IEP Development Process
• District Induction and Mentoring Report Forms Coming Next Week
• School Security Assessment App
• Leading the Nation Week
• For Your Info:
  • Presidential Scholars announced
  • Mass IDEAS School Model Design Studio

May 4, 2018

• Statewide System of Support Update
• Picture of the Week: Susan B. Anthony Middle School in Revere
• Accountability and Assistance Advisory Council to Meet
• Elementary Principals Network Meetings
• No Change to Hiring Requirement for Paraprofessionals
• DESE Resource Corner: Standards-based learning videos
• For Your Info:
  • Harvard Case Method Project
  • Suicide response resource for schools
  • Project Here grant opportunity
  • "No First Time" Day
  • U.S. Presidential Scholars Program semifinalists announced

April 27, 2018

• Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Meeting
• Updated Educator Equity and Evaluation Data Posted
• New for 2018: Early Reporting of Preliminary Spring MCAS Results
• Promote Prevent Commission Report Released
• Survey on IEP Development Process
• Public Comment Open on Proposed Changes to Accountability and Assistance Regulations
• Federal Literacy Grant Opportunity for High-Need Districts
• Links to Leading the Nation Videos
• For Your Info:
  • Massachusetts egg at White House Easter Egg Roll
  • Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color Conference

April 20, 2018

• Additional Funding to Support Hurricane Evacuees from Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands
• Picture of the Week: Student Government Day
• Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to Meet
• Public Comment Open on Proposed Amendments Related to LOOK Act
• Reminder on Restraint Reporting
• DESE Resource Corner: Reports Library
• For Your Info:
  • Strategic plan for the juvenile justice system
  • Lesson plans on intergenerational engagement

April 13, 2018

• Massachusetts NAEP Scores Lead the Nation (Again!)
• Picture of the Week: Tenacity Challenge
• Professional Development Opportunities on Safe and Supportive Learning Environments
• April Is the Month of the Military Child
• Family Engagement External Stakeholders Regional Meetings
• Spring Early Learning Regional Network Meetings
• Elementary Principals Network Meetings
• Computer Science Training Grant
• Registration Open for July 24–26 Civic Education Institute
• For Your Info: Message from the Registry of Motor Vehicles

April 6, 2018

• Commissioner Riley Sworn in at Leading the Nation Celebration
• Picture of the Week: Swearing In Ceremony
• Supporting Displaced Students from Puerto Rico
• DESE's Student Councils Seek New Members for 2018-2019
• 2018 Massachusetts Green Ribbon Schools Announced
• Advisory on Emergency Planning and Door Locking
• New Advisory on Augmentative and Alternative Communication for Special Educators
• Dropout Prevention and Re-Engagement Gathering
• School Choice Reminder
• MCAS Testing Schedule for 2018-2019 Released
• For Your Info:
  • Two Massachusetts schools recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Education

March 30, 2018

• A Message from the Acting Commissioner
• Picture of the Week: Old Sturbridge Village Academy Charter Public School
• Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Meeting
• Nominate teachers by Sunday for PAEMST
• FY17 Preliminary Finance Data Available
• Course on Pre-K and K Standards for SEL and Approaches to Play and Learning
• DESE Resource Corner: Schools' sample materials for coordinating MCAS test administration
• For Your Info:
  • Social and emotional learning grant opportunity

March 23, 2018

• Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to Meet
• Graduation Requirements for Students from Puerto Rico
• Picture of the Week: LEAP Convening
• Public Comment on History and Social Science Framework Ends Soon
• Graduation and Dropout Rate Events
• 2018 VOCAL School Climate Survey
• Diverse and Learner-Ready Teachers Initiative
• DESE Resource Corner: "How Do We Know?" Initiative
• For Your Info:
  • We the People Middle School Showcase
  • WIDA seeks input on framework
  • Youth Preparedness Council
  • Recent recognitions

March 16, 2018

• Math and STE Ambassadors
• Picture of the Week: National School Breakfast Week in Lowell
• Snow Again!
• Preparing for MCAS Administration
• Save the Date for July 24–26 Civic Education Institute
• VISTA: Last Chance!
• DESE Resource Corner: Planning for Success

March 9, 2018

• Massachusetts School Mental Health Consortium
• Picture of the Week: Commissioner Chester Honored by CCSSO
• Webinar on Proportionate Share for Special Education Directors
• Professional Development on Safe and Supportive Learning Environments
• Annual Arts Conference on April 2
• 21^st Century Community Learning Centers Grants Information Session
• Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
• Last Chance for Massachusetts Green Ribbon Schools Competition
• Hasta La VISTA
• For Your Info:
  • Resources on student walkouts
  • Integration of computational thinking and elementary math/science

March 2, 2018

• Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Meeting
• School Safety and Student Activism in the Wake of the Parkland Shooting
• Picture of the Week: Phoenix Academy Public Charter High School, Lawrence
• Good News on Graduation and Dropout Rates
• Accountability and Assistance Advisory Council to Meet
• VISTA Survey Still Open
• WIDA Early Years Modules
• For Your Info:
  • DESE seeking a director of literacy and humanities

Last Updated: March 18, 2020