Open Access Professional Learning (OAPL) for Literacy in PreK to 12

OAPL courses are open to all currently employed Massachusetts public school educators whose work relates to literacy in grades preschool through twelve. This includes general education teachers, special education teachers, ESL or language support teachers, principals, paraprofessionals, literacy coaches, and other school or district administrators whose work relates to literacy in grades preschool through twelve. OAPL courses are also open to higher education faculty or administrators whose work relates to literacy (for instance, faculty who teach literacy education courses; deans in educator preparation programs). Individual course providers determine the specific eligibility requirements for each course.

Yes, charter school educators can participate in the courses. Educators in Commonwealth charter schools are deemed state employees for the purposes of the Massachusetts ethics law (G.L. c. 268A). These employees will need to complete and file a section 7(b) ethics disclosure form if the course they are taking offers a stipend, because they will be considered to have a financial interest in a state contract. As the contract is not for personal services, the last page of the form does not need to be completed. Here are the 7(b) disclosure form and instructions for completing the form . Educators with questions can contact the Massachusetts Ethics Commission at requestadvice@massmail.state.ma.us or call the State Ethics Attorney of the Day hotline at (617) 371-9500. Educators at Horace Mann charter schools who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the school district should consult with their employers or the Massachusetts Ethics Commission to determine whether a 7(b) disclosure is required.

Yes, Massachusetts higher education faculty can participate in the courses. Please note that faculty at Massachusetts public higher education institutions are considered special state employees for the purposes of the Massachusetts ethics law (G.L. c. 268A). These employees will need to complete and file a section 7(d) ethics disclosure form if the course they are taking offers a stipend, as they will be considered to have a financial interest in a state contract. Here are the section 7(d) disclosure form and instructions for completing the form . Educators with questions can contact the Massachusetts Ethics Commission at requestadvice@massmail.state.ma.us or call the State Ethics Attorney of the Day hotline at (617) 371-9500.

Yes, educators employed by local school districts and educational collaboratives can participate in the courses. There are no disclosures required under the Massachusetts ethics law (G.L. c. 268A) for these individuals.

There is no cost to educators. Course costs are being paid by DESE.

Participation in OAPL courses is optional. This professional learning opportunity is being provided by DESE, as an optional resource for educators. There is no requirement to participate.

Course names and enrollment information will be posted to this page as it becomes available. Educators will enroll in approved OAPL courses directly through the course provider by clicking the link listed for that course. Educators do not need to contact or work with DESE to enroll. Please note that space is limited, and enrollment will occur on a first-come, first-served basis.

Early Access is a three-day period during which certain educators get priority access to enroll in an OAPL course. After the three-day period, any eligible educator may enroll. All eligible higher education faculty and educators who are currently employed in an eligible role in one of the following districts have Early Access:

• Athol-Royalston
• Boston
• Brockton
• Chelsea
• Chicopee
• Everett
• Fall River
• Fitchburg
• Framingham
• Gardner
• Gloucester
• Greenfield
• Holyoke
• Lawrence
• Lowell
• Lynn
• New Bedford
• North Adams
• Pittsfield
• Southbridge
• Springfield
• Taunton
• Webster
• Winchendon
• Worcester

The available PDPs will vary by course and will be offered by course providers. If you are interested in receiving PDPs, please explore available courses to learn more about the PDPs each course provider is offering. DESE will not be directly issuing any PDPs for OAPL courses.

Courses offered through August 2024 will be listed on this page. Each course will have different start and end dates. Course start dates range from July to end of August.

Courses offered cover one or more of the following topics: evidence-based literacy practices as aligned to the Mass Literacy Guide to support students in grades preschool through 12 and evidence-based literacy practices to support students experiencing reading difficulties, including but not limited to dyslexia.

Due to enormous interest, educators may only enroll in one course at this time. Please review the various courses and the select the one that best fits your interests and availability.

It is recommended that educators communicate with their school and/or district administration about their interest in OAPL courses. Grade-level teams, school-based teams, or district-based teams may decide to enroll and take a course together. However, school and/or district permission is not required. Educators may enroll in OAPL courses independently and individually if they so choose. DESE will not be communicating with or reporting back to schools or districts about OAPL course enrollment.

Educators will receive a stipend upon completing some OAPL courses. It may take up to 120 days to receive stipends after course completion. The stipend ranges from $150–$450 depending on the course length. Certain OAPL courses provide educators with either graduate credits or highly valued training in a specific approach or intervention, such as Orton-Gillingham or Wilson; these courses do not offer a stipend. Educators should learn about course requirements, including class attendance requirements and required assignments, before enrolling in any course.

Educators may determine when to engage in and complete course work outside of regular working hours.

Course providers will report information to DESE about educators who enrolled in OAPL courses, including but not limited to your name, district or charter school where employed, whether the course was completed, and time to completion. For certain courses, Educators in OAPL courses will also be required to participate in an online survey of knowledge before and after taking their course(s), and results from that assessment will be shared with DESE. All information collected will be used for evaluating the effectiveness of the OAPL program and will not affect individuals' employment or licensure. No personal identifying information about educators in OAPL courses will be shared with schools or districts.

Educators will be asked to complete a feedback survey at the end of each OAPL course. DESE invites educators to share feedback which will inform the operation of this program. For individual issues, please contact your course provider.

Please contact your course provider with any questions about course enrollment, requirements, or stipend. If you have any additional questions about OAPL, please contact Literacyandhumanities@mass.gov .