Guidance and Laws

Massachusetts Language Survey Protocol

• Massachusetts Language Survey Protocol

• Language Survey

• District Verification of Misidentification of the Student as an English Learner Form

2024 Guidance on English Learner Education Services and Programming

• 2024 Guidance on English Learner Education Services and Programming

• Important Changes in the 2024 Guidance on English Learner Education Services and Programming

Other State Guidance

• DESE Guidance for the Provision of Interpreters in the Education Setting

• Guidance for Exiting Students Who Take the Alternate ACCESS for ELs from English Learner Services

• Guidance for Implementing Dual Language Education Programs

• Guidance for Supporting English Learners with Disabilities

• Guidance for Implementing the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy

• Guidance for English Learner Parent Advisory Councils

• Guidance for Implementing Transitional Bilingual Education Programs

• Guidance for the Use of Benchmarks Toward Attaining English Proficiency

• Massachusetts Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE) Definition and Guidance

• Enrolling and Supporting Newcomer Students in Massachusetts Schools & Districts Frequently Asked Questions

• Guide to Assigning Scores for Missing Domains on ACCESS for ELLs Tests

• Guidance for Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Programs

  • Guidance for Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Programs

  • Guidance for Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Programs — Appendices

• Next Generation ESL Curriculum Resource Guide

Federal Guidance

• Newcomer Toolkit (US Department of Education)

• Family Tooklit (National Clearninghouse for English Language Acquisition)

• US Department of Education Dear Colleague Letter

• English Learner Tool Kit (U.S. Department of Education)

State Laws

• M.G.L. Ch. 69: Powers and Duties of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

• M.G.L. Ch. 71a: English Language Education in Public Schools

• M.G.L. Ch. 71b: Children with Special Needs

Federal Laws

• Title III Grants FAQs

• Office of Special Education Programs (EHE)

• Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

• The Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 (EEOA)

• Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA)

State Regulations

• 603 CMR 14.00: Education of English Learners Regulations

• 603 CMR 31.00: Massachusetts Certificate of Mastery & State Seal of Biliteracy

Last Updated: June 18, 2025