The Department uses On the Desktop messages to communicate directly with superintendents and other district officials. During the COVID-19 pandemic, DESE has also been sending On the Desktop messages to private schools. If you are a district or private school leader and have not been receiving these messages, please make sure that the contact information in our online directory is accurate. If you are a public school district, and your information needs to be updated, please work with the directory administrator for your district to make the needed change. If you are a private school leader and need to update your information, please email Kerrie Anastas .
Commencement and Graduation Guidance from the Department of Labor Standards and DESE — March 22, 2021 (Updated April 28, 2021)
Guidance on In-Person Learning Requirements —
April 27, 2021
Message about Guidance on In-Person Learning Requirements — March 9, 2021
Plan for Phased Return to In-Person Learning (slides) — March 10, 2021
Overview of Waiver Process (slides) — March 10, 2021
Protocols for Responding to COVID-19 Scenarios — July 17, 2020 (Updated September 14, November 23, and December 16, 2020, and April 20, 2021)
Career/Vocational Technical Education Reopening Guidelines — July 29, 2020 (Updated August 25, 2020; December 14, 2020; February 1, 2021; and April 1, 2021)
Supplemental Guidance for Student Groups and School Events for School Year 2020-2021 — August 31, 2020 (updated January 11, 2021 and April 1, 2021)
Special Education Transportation Guidance — March 24, 2021
Guidance for Courses Requiring Additional Safety Considerations for Fall 2020 — July 24, 2020 (Updated October 13, 2020 and March 1, 2021)
Initial Information on Expanding In-Person Learning This Spring — February 23, 2021
School Year 2020-21 Reopening Transportation Guidance, July 22, 2020 — Updated February 11, 2021
Update on Influenza Vaccination — January 15, 2021
Pooled Testing in K-12 Schools — January 8, 2021
Guidance on Amendments to Student Learning Time Regulations — December 18, 2020
Updates to Guidance on Interpreting DPH COVID-19 Health Metrics — November 6, 2020
Response to questions about Governor Baker's November 2 revised executive order on masks — November 3, 2020
Abbott Labs/BinaxNOW Webinar Recording
Abbott Labs/BinaxNOW Webinar Presentation
Phase I — BinaxNOW Rapid Point of Care COVID-19 Testing for K-12 Schools
October 12, 2020 Installment of FAQs
September 21, 2020 Installment of FAQs
Reporting Requirement for Positive COVID-19 Cases and Mobile Response Overview — September 18, 2020
Protocol for Requesting Mobile Rapid Response Units — September 11, 2020
Teachers and Critical Support Staff in Remote Learning Districts, Vulnerable Students, Children of Teachers, Regional Calculations, and SOA Deadline —
August 21, 2020
Access to Mobile Testing — August 20, 2020
Joint Memo Clarifying Key Health and Safety Requirements for Schools —
August 19, 2020
DPH-DESE Alignment Slides
DESE-DPH Joint Memo
Joint Guidance on Modified Sports Seasons for School Year 2020-21 —
August 18, 2020
MIAA-DESE Sports Guidance
Guidance Memo to Private K-12 Schools, July 29, 2020
Guidance for Districts and Schools on Interpreting DPH COVID-19 Metrics — August 11, 2020 (Updated November 6, 2020)
Feedback on Preliminary Fall Reopening Plans —
August 6, 2020
Feedback on Preliminary Fall Reopening Plans, August 6, 2020
Submission Process for Final Fall Reopening Plans due August 10 — August 5, 2020
Remote Learning Partner Information —
August 4, 2020
Remote Learning Partner Information
Adult and Community Learning Services Fall Reopening Guidance, August 2020
Supplemental Information for Science Courses and Laboratory Work for Fall 2020 — August 3, 2020
Creating Positive Learning Environments: Recommendations and Resources to Support the Social Emotional Well-being of Students, Staff, and Families — August 3, 2020
Student Learning Time Waiver Process —
July 30, 2020
Process to Request a Modification of Structured Learning Time Requirements, July 30, 2020
Career/Vocational Technical Education Reopening Guidelines —
July 29, 2020
Career/Vocational Technical Education Reopening Guidelines — July 29, 2021 (Updated August 25, 2020; December 14, 2020; February 1, 2021; and April 1, 2021)
Additional Staff Training Days this Fall —
July 27, 2020
Memorandum of Understanding Between DESE, MTA, AFT-MA, and BTU
Guidance on Courses Requiring Additional Safety Considerations and Remote Learning —
July 24, 2020
Remote Learning Guidance for Fall 2020 (Updated October 19, 2020)
Guidance for Courses Requiring Additional Safety Considerations for Fall 2020
Transportation and Facilities Guidance —
July 22, 2020
School Year 2020-21 Reopening Transportation Guidance, July 22, 2020 — Updated February 11, 2021
Fall Reopening Facilities and Operations Guidance, July 22, 2020
Protocols for Responding to COVID-19 Scenarios — July 17, 2020
Two-Step Process and Online Form/Template for Fall Reopening Plans —
July 15, 2020
Two-Step Process for District Fall Reopening Plans, July 15, 2020
Additional Guidance on Fall Reopening Plans —
July 10, 2020
Fall Reopening Frequently Asked Questions, as of July 10, 2020
Comprehensive Special Education Guidance for the 2020-21 School Year —
July 9, 2020
Comprehensive Special Education Guidance for the 2020-21 School Year Memo — minor text updates made 7/23/2020
Remote Learning Technology Essentials Grant and Purchasing PPE — July 6, 2020
Comprehensive Summer School Guidance —
July 1, 2020
Comprehensive Summer School Guidance
Initial Fall School Reopening Guidance —
June 25, 2020
Initial Fall School Reopening Guidance — June 25, 2020 (Translated versions)
Initial Fall Reopening Guidance Presentation
Mass Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics Endorsement
Opinion by Joseph G. Allen: Yes, kids should be going back to school in the fall
Summer and Vacation Learning Program Grant Posted — June 19, 2020
New SOA Plan Deadline — June 15, 2020
Summer/Vacation Learning Program Grant — June 11, 2020
Acquisition Support for Safety Supplies —
June 10, 2020
K-12 Health Supply/PPE Acquisition Support
Health Supply/PPE Estimate spreadsheet form
Message about Summer 2020 Special Education Services —
June 7, 2020
Guidance about Summer 2020 Special Education Services
Required Safety Supplies for Re-Opening Schools —
June 5, 2020
Guidance on Required Safety Supplies for Re-Opening Schools
Competitive Team Building Exercise with Commissioner Riley — June 5, 2020
Initial Guidance on Summer School Message —
June 4, 2020
Initial Guidance on Summer School Document
Help with P-EBT Card Use — June 3, 2020
Update on CD Requirements for Classes of 2021-23 — May 26, 2020
Upcoming Grant for Summer and Vacation Programs — May 22, 2020
High School Graduation Guidelines from DPH/HHS — May 21, 2020
Return to School Working Group — May 14, 2020
Remote Learning Survey — May 13, 2020
Letter to Families and High School Guidance —
May 8, 2020
Letter to Families
High School Guidance
CARES Act RFP Available — May 8, 2020
Advanced Placement Testing Guidelines — May 7, 2020
Update on Competency Requirements for Class of 2020 — April 29, 2020
FEMA Disaster Reimbursement — April 27, 2020
School Year Requirements — April 24, 2020
Updated Remote Learning Guidance — April 24, 2020
Schools to Remain Closed Through End of School Year — April 21, 2020
Special Education Tuition Guidance from the Operational Services Division — April 17, 2020
Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) — April 14, 2020
Tips for Safe Videoconferencing — April 13, 2020
Legislation Enacted on MCAS, SOA Plans, and Regional School District Budgets — April 10, 2020
USED Approves Massachusetts Waiver Request for ESSA Grants Due to COVID-19 — April 8, 2020
April Vacation — April 3, 2020
Extension of Deadlines for Non-Resident Chapter 74 Admissions — April 1, 2020
Letter to Families about Remote Learning During COVID-19 — March 30, 2020
USDA Reimbursements for All Districts and Online Advanced Placement Tutoring — March 30, 2020
Recommendation on Payments for Contracted Services — March 27, 2020
Remote Learning Recommendations During COVID-19 School Closures — March 26, 2020
Professional Licensure Extensions — March 21, 2020
Payments to Hourly Employees — March 20, 2020
Update for Private Schools — March 19, 2020
Suspending K12 Operations — March 15, 2020
Coronavirus Guidance from Conference Call — March 13,2020
Coronavirus Updates on 180-Day Requirement and More — March 10, 2020
Coronavirus update and conference call with DESE and DPH — March 5, 2020