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Center for Instructional Support

Center for Instructional Support Program Offerings 2023-24

Note: Click on the titles below to jump to each description.

Cross- Content RelevanceScience and Technology/Engineering
MathematicsELA / Literacy
History, Social Science and CivicsEducator Effectiveness
Digital Literacy and Computer ScienceArts

Evaluate and Select High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) Network

Intended Audience: District/School administrators and coaches from MA districts, charters, or collaboratives, K–12

Program Description: Evaluate and Select High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) Network combines virtual sessions with personalized support to engage district teams in a guided, individualized, equity-focused HQIM adoption process outlined in the first three phases of IMplement MA. District teams of 2–4 educators will be supported by Department staff and provided with Department developed tools and other resources to complete one or more phases of IMplement MA, grounded in district's localized needs and priorities. Participants commit to attend all sessions of the Network, meet as a working leadership team, and lead all Curriculum Council meetings at their school/district-level throughout the 23-24 school year.

To learn more about the IMplement MA process through the Evaluate and Select HQIM Network, please register to attend an informational sessions:

To join the network, please use this link:

SY23-24 funding to stipend participating district teams' curriculum council members to evaluate and select HQIM for time outside contractual hours may be available.

Program Type: Virtual

Program Dates:

  • Team leader kickoff: Wednesday, 9/13 from 3:00–4:00pm
  • Network team meetings: Wednesday, 9/27, 11/1, 12/6, 1/10, 2/7, 3/6, 6/5 from 9:00am–12:00pm

CIS Contact: Woodly Pierre-Louis

Math Leader Network

Registration

Intended Audience: PK–12 school or district leaders with oversight and responsibility for Math programming and instruction or their designee.

Program Description: The Math Leaders Network (MLN) is a professional network and community of learners that include PreK–12 Math district and school leaders in MA. Members of the network engage in collaborative discussions relevant to their role as Math educators and leaders within their districts. There are opportunities to expand your professional network, share resources and strategies around equitable implementation of the MA curriculum frameworks using high-quality instructional materials, and provide input on DESE initiatives. During the 2023-2024 school year, there will be a mix of in-person and virtual meetings that include professional development, informal connection, and mentoring for leaders new in their role.

Program Type: Virtual, In-Person

Program Dates:

  • (Tentative) Thursday, September 21st — Joint STEM leader meeting — in-person
  • Other dates: TBD

CIS Contact: Jennifer Sauriol

DLCS District Leader Network

Registration

Intended Audience: PK–12 district and school-based Digital Literacy and Computer Science leaders and/or their designees.

Program Description:
The Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) District Leaders Network is a professional network and community of learners that includes PreK–12 DLCS district and school leaders in MA. Members of the network engage in collaborative discussions relevant to their role as DLCS educators and leaders within their districts. Participants will share resources and strategies around broadening participation in DLCS education and selecting and implementing high quality DLCS curricula. There are opportunities to expand members' professional networks and provide input on DESE statewide initiatives. During the 2023-24 school year, there will be a mix of in-person and virtual meetings. There will also be optional opportunities to participate in working groups.

Program Type: Virtual, In-Person

Program Dates:

  • In-person:
    • (Tentative) Thursday, September 21, 2023 — Joint STEM leader meeting
    • One other TBD
  • Online:
    • Two TBD

CIS Contact: Paula Moore

Accelerating Science: Open Access Professional Learning (OAPL) for Science Educators

Registration

Intended Audience: Massachusetts PK–12 public and charter teachers or administrators whose work relates to science and engineering.

Program Description: The OAPL science program aims to support Massachusetts educators in strengthening their knowledge base for learning how to engage all students in scientific thinking that moves learning about science (memorizing facts) to figuring things out through phenomena-driven instruction that is collaborative and relevant to students lives that meets the vision of the Curriculum Frameworks. Educators may choose from a range of vetted options from highly qualified providers for free and will also receive either a stipend or teacher substitute reimbursement upon completing the course.

Program Type: Virtual, In-Person, Hybrid

Program Dates: vary by professional development provider

CIS Contact: Nicole Scola, OAPLscience@mass.gov

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST)

Registration

Intended Audience: Teachers Grades K–6 and all who know of excellent K–6 teaching happening.

Program Description:
Each year MA strives to celebrate 6 state finalists for the PAEMST award, which honors science, technology, engineering, math, and computer science teaching. This year the PAEMST award will honor educators of grade K–6. Please consider nominating an educator or applying for this recognition yourself — PAEMST

Nominations will open in the fall and applications will be due early February.

Other educator recognitions happening across the Commonwealth can be found on our aMAzing educators' page: Educator Recognition Overview.

Program Type: Virtual

Program Dates:

CIS Contact: Jennifer Sauriol or Casandra Gonzalez

STEM Newsletter

Registration

Intended Audience: Educators and administrators with an interest in PK–12 STEM programming

Program Description:
Stay up to date with the most current STEM news, information and upcoming programming by having the STEM newsletter delivered to your inbox each month.

Program Type: Virtual

Program Dates: Monthly

CIS Contact: stem@doe.mass.edu

Math Tutoring Program Available for 4th and 8th students

Registration

Intended Audience: All Massachusetts public school districts, schools, and charter schools are eligible to apply

Program Description:
DESE is pleased to announce the launch of a new program intended to support students' mathematical skills. This program targets students in 4th and 8th grades with tutoring supports in mathematics, specifically numeracy and algebraic and proportional reasoning. Studies show that High-dosage tutoring has demonstrated effectiveness for accelerating academic growth with diverse populations. The tutoring services will be supplemental to regular instructional time and delivered through a structured cohort-based model with a specific duration and dosage. Tutoring services will be provided in a virtual, in-person, or hybrid setting as determined with the partner LEAs. Tutoring services will take place from September 2023 to June 2024, during school hours, and scheduled based on approximately 12-week cycles.

Eligibility and Priorities
All Massachusetts public school districts, schools, and charter schools are eligible to apply. Initial approval is based on the school/districts' commitment to expectations for implementation, competitive priorities, and funding availability. Districts/schools/charters do not need to meet competitive priorities to complete the interest form.

DESE will give priorities to:

  1. Chronically underperforming districts/schools
  2. Schools requiring assistance or intervention.
  3. Schools with high incidence of 4th and 8th graders not meeting expectations on 2022 MCAS.
  4. Schools with high needs students (student identified as Low-Income, students with disabilities, student identified as English Learners)

Program Type: Virtual, In-Person, Hybrid

Program Dates: September 2023 – June 2024

Program Page: Math Tutoring Program Page

CIS Contact: Fabrice K. Kandjanga, math.tutoring@mass.gov

Science and Technology/Engineering District Leaders Network (STEDLN)

Registration

Intended Audience: PK–12 district and school-based STE leaders with oversight and responsibility for science programming and instruction or their designee.

Program Description: The Science and Technology/Engineering District Leaders Network (STEDLN) is a professional network and community of learners that include PK–12 Science and Technology/Engineering district and school leaders in MA. Members of the network engage in collaborative discussions relevant to their role as STE educators and leaders within their districts. There are opportunities to expand your professional network, share resources and strategies around equitable implementation of the MA curriculum frameworks using high-quality instructional materials, and provide input on DESE initiatives. During the 2023-24 school year, there will be a mix of in-person and virtual meetings that include professional development, informal connection, and mentoring for leaders new in their role. Meeting dates are tentatively scheduled between 9am-12pm with optional afternoon collaborative planning time.

Note: In-person sessions may have hybrid components. Any session may switch to all-virtual depending on weather and public health concerns. More details will be made available in early September. Agendas and prework will be sent at least one week in advance to allow participants to schedule their time accordingly.

Program Type: Virtual, In-Person

Program Dates: 9/21/2023 (tentative — joint in person), 1/24/2024 (virtual), 3/27/2024 (virtual), 5/29/2024 (tentative — in person)

CIS Contact: Casandra Gonzalez

Mathematics Digital Supplement Program FY24

Registration

Intended Audience: All Massachusetts public school districts, schools, and charter schools are eligible to apply

Program Description:
The 2023-24 Mathematics Digital Supplement Program will target the needs of students in 4th and 8th grade with a digital supplement program for mathematics. Studies show that high-quality digital supplements have demonstrated effectiveness for accelerating academic growth with diverse populations. The 2023-24 Mathematics Digital Supplement Program will fund up to 50% of the cost for the district to purchase, train staff, and implement the program for the 23-24 School Year. The computer-based programs will be designed to enrich and deepen students' conceptual understanding of mathematics through a visually based approach utilizing interactive, engaging, and age-appropriate software. All MA public Districts/Schools/Charters may apply. This could be a new adoption of a digital supplement or a continuation.

Selected vendors will provide schools and districts with access to the mathematics program and components, professional learning to support teachers' implementation of the program, and provide relevant data and evidence of student progress and growth in mathematics. Vendors will invoice DESE directly for services as defined in the contract agreement.

DESE is in the process of contracting with vendors now. Detailed information will be posted as soon as possible.

Program Type:

Program Dates: September 2023 – June 2024

For more information: STEM Grants and Opportunities

CIS Contact: Ian Stith

U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Program

Registration

Intended Audience: Schools, Districts, Colleges and Universities

Program Description: Launched by the U.S. Department of Education in 2011, the Green Ribbon Schools recognition program honors schools and districts that are exemplary in reducing environmental impact and costs, improving the health and wellness of students and staff, and delivering effective environmental and sustainability education that incorporates Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), civic skills, and green career pathways. Each year, Massachusetts selects one or more schools or districts to honor at the state level; those honorees are then elevated to the U.S. Department of Education where they will have the opportunity to be honored as a national Green Ribbon School/District.

Program Type:

Program Dates: Applications due December 22, 2023 EOD

CIS Contact: Nicole Scola

Appleseeds: Implementation Support

Registration Link: If you are interested in implementing Appleseeds this year and would like to be notified about support opportunities and resources, please complete this form.

Intended Audience: K–2 literacy educators, specialists, coordinators, administrators, educator preparation faculty, and community members

Program Description: Appleseeds: Evidence-Based Foundational Skills for Massachusetts is a complete, openly available reading foundational skills curriculum for grades K–2 that is free and available to anyone. These materials are a high-quality, research-based curriculum that specifically addresses only the components of reading foundational skills: print concepts, phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics and word recognition, and fluency. DESE will be making implementation supports available to educators using Appleseeds this year such as unit and lesson planning tools. Grants may also be available pending funding.

Program Type: N/A

Program Dates: N/A

CIS Contact: Linda Sewnarine

Dyslexia Institute

Registration Link: MA Dyslexia Institute Application

Intended Audience: K–3 literacy educators, specialists, coordinators, administrators

Program Description: The institute is a free, hybrid, 45-hour course designed for Interdisciplinary School/District Teams currently employed in a Massachusetts public or charter school (Unfortunately, at this time the course is not available to educators working in independent schools). Priority will be given to school/district teams that have been identified as: needing assistance or improvement by the Department, serving a population of students of which over 20% are identified as high needs, and are in chronically underperforming status and the Strategic Transformation Region.

The course is designed to support district-level teams as they embark on a Planning Process for developing, expanding, and/or revising their Dyslexia Action Plan. The institute will provide Massachusetts educators with relevant research-based best practices on early literacy screening, instruction, identification and specialized interventions and support for students with reading difficulties, learning disabilities, and dyslexia.

At the conclusion of the institute, participants will be able to:

  • Demonstrate substantial knowledge of dyslexia profiles and best practices, use student and classroom data to improve students' equitable access to high quality, evidence-based early literacy instruction and interventions.
  • Develop and implement effective early literacy screening, identification, assessment, intervention, and instructional practices, grounded in culturally and linguistically sustaining practices, for working with students who are at risk of or diagnosed with dyslexia and other reading difficulties.
  • Produce a plan for meaningful and effective implementation of the series' topics, via a Dyslexia Implementation Plan which they will showcase in the final live session.

Program Dates: February – June 2024

CIS Contact: Linda Sewnarine

Strong Start: Early Literacy Screening

Registration Link: To be notified about support opportunities and resources, please complete this form.

Intended Audience: K–3 literacy educators, specialists, coordinators, administrators

Program Description: To support districts with adoption and implementation of an approved early literacy screening assessment and data-based decision making for literacy instruction, the Department will offer:

  • Screening Office Hours: This will be a weekly opportunity to ask screener specific questions
  • Screening Resources for Professional Development: To support districts with a comprehensive early literacy universal screening protocol, DESE will provide resources such as PD slide decks and mini webinars for professional development.

Grants may also be available, pending funding.

Program Type: Virtual

Program Dates: TBD

CIS Contact: Mary Brown

Massachusetts Literacy Planning Institute

Registration Link: To be notified when registration is open, please complete this form.

Intended Audience: K–5 district teams comprising teachers, school-based administrators, and district level literacy leaders, administrators, or coordinators.

Program Description: Is your district seeking to improve implementation of equitable, evidence-based literacy practices for reading within an effective multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) in grades K—5? Would your literacy team benefit from support in developing a strong K–5 literacy plan? Apply to be part of the Massachusetts Literacy Planning Institute!

Network participants will create an MTSS-aligned literacy plan for grades K–5 that includes instructional leadership responsibilities, literacy priorities and goals, instruction and intervention, assessment, and professional learning.

Program Type: Virtual

Program Dates: TBD

CIS Contact: Donna Goldstein

Mass Literacy: Online Overview Course

Registration Link

Intended Audience: Educators whose work relates to literacy in grades preK-3; educator preparation faculty; community members

Program Description: Since 2020, the Mass Literacy Guide has empowered MA educators with practical, effective teaching strategies, tools, and resources to support evidence-based practices that cultivate the literacy talents of all our students in grades preK–3.

To support all educators in getting to know the wealth of information and resources within the Mass Literacy Guide, DESE is providing an asynchronous online course, available at no cost to any educator who works in a Massachusetts education organization. Participants who complete the course will receive 15 PDPs.

As a result of the learning experiences in this course, participants will deepen their understanding of how to:

  • Teach literacy using evidence-based instructional practices for foundational skills and engaging with complex text.
  • Utilize a valid and reliable early literacy universal screening assessment to better understand all students' needs.
  • Create routines for data-based decision making to review learning data and plan responsive instruction.
  • …and so much more!

Program Type: Virtual

Program Dates: Ongoing

CIS Contact: Mary Brown

High Dosage Tutoring for Early Literacy

Registration Link: For more information, please visit Early Literacy and Mathematics High Dosage Tutoring Programs.

Intended Audience: Educators whose work relates to literacy in grades preK–3.

Program Description: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is excited to share an opportunity for districts to partner with tutoring vendors for no-cost high dosage tutoring in early literacy. High dosage tutoring builds foundational literacy skills to set students up for success with the current grade's core content. The Department has approved vendors to provide no-cost high dosage tutoring that are student-centered and evidence-based. In-person, hybrid, or virtual options are available for districts to choose from.

Program Type: Virtual, In-Person, Hybrid

Program Dates: N/A

CIS Contact: Mary Brown

ELA/Literacy Leaders Network

Registration

Intended Audience: PK–12 district- and school-based leaders with responsibility for ELA/literacy and/or their designees

Program Description: The ELA/Literacy Leaders Network is a community of school and district level leaders with responsibility for ELA/Literacy education. Our meetings include a combination of structured professional learning on topics of high interest to the group, role- and context-alike problem solving and resource sharing, informal relationship building and networking, and structured opportunities to collaborate around developing resources. There are also opportunities to provide input on DESE initiatives and priorities. Specific agendas for each session are determined based partly on the group's interests and needs. This year, we will hold most meetings virtually, with potential opportunities for in-person learning and collaboration at a location to be determined. Throughout the year, there will be additional opportunities for more informal networking and connection through drop-in meet up events and over a shared email list.

Note: In-person meeting dates and times are tentative and will be confirmed by August 15 at the latest; in-person sessions may switch to all virtual depending on weather and public health concerns. Agendas and pre-work for all network sessions will be sent at least one week in advance to allow participants to schedule their time accordingly.

Program Type: Virtual

Program Dates: TBD

CIS Contact: Linda Sewnarine

Civics Professional Learning Pathways

Registration Link: Civics Pathways

Intended Audience: All Massachusetts educators

Program Description: The Civics Professional Learning Pathways, developed and facilitated jointly with Project Zero and the Democratic Knowledge Project at Harvard and MA public school teachers, will offer multiple dynamic and collaborative learning opportunities, both online and in-person, to support educators in providing all students with high-quality civics learning experiences. In Fall 2023, we will offer two Pathways, one focused on getting started with the student-led civics project and the other on going deeper with the project. In Spring 2024, we will offer the same two Pathways as in Fall 2023, as well as one focused on foundational civics pedagogies for grades 6–12, such as facilitating difficult conversations and analyzing primary sources.

Program Type: Virtual, In-Person

Program Dates: For a full list of dates/times for the various offerings for each Pathway, please visit the registration link: Civics Pathways | Project Zero (harvard.edu)

CIS Contact: Kathryn Gabriele

History/Social Science Leaders Network

Registration

Intended Audience: PK–12 district- and school-based leaders with responsibility for history and social science and/or their designees.

Program Description: The History/Social Science Leaders Network is a community of school and district level leaders collaborating to support great history, social science, and/or civics education. Our meetings include a combination of structured professional learning, role- and context-alike problem solving and resource sharing, informal opportunities for relationship building and networking, and structured opportunities to work together to develop shared resources. We also maintain an active email group for ongoing conversation and collaboration. Participants are welcome to engage with the network in whatever way best suits their needs and capacity; conflicts with one or more meeting times should not be seen as a barrier to registration.

While the focus of the network changes in response to participant needs, previous years' work has centered on topics such as elementary social studies, supporting classroom discussions of race and racism, and engaging students in historical inquiry; there are also opportunities to provide input on DESE initiatives and priorities over the course of the year. Note: Leaders who participated in the 2022-23 network do not need to re-register.

Program Type: Virtual, In-Person

Program Dates: In-person sessions will run from 9:00 to 12:00 in central Massachusetts. Virtual sessions will run from 9:00 to 11:00. All dates tentative.

  • Thursday, September 21, 2023 (in-person)
  • Thursday, October 19, 2023 (virtual)
  • Thursday, December 14, 2023 (in-person)
  • Thursday, January 25, 2024 (in-person)
  • Thursday, March 28, 2024 (in-person)
  • Thursday, May 23, 2024 (virtual)

CIS Contact: Reuben Henriques

Investigating History Leaders Network

Registration

Intended Audience: School and district leaders (e.g., instructional coaches, department chairs, curriculum coordinators, etc.) using the Investigating History curriculum

Program Description: Investigating History is DESE's upcoming comprehensive, inquiry-based social studies curriculum for grades five, six, and seven. This network is designed for school and district leaders who are supporting Investigating History in their districts—recognizing the critical role they play in supporting their teachers' success with these new materials. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the Investigating History instructional approach and analyze some of the pedagogical shifts that Investigating History may require of teachers, collaborating with context-alike colleagues to share successes and problem-solve challenges over the course of the year

Note: In order to support meaningful and sustained collaboration over the course of the year, we are asking participants to commit to consistent attendance in this network. While we recognize that unexpected conflicts may arise, please only register for this network if you think you will be able to attend at least four of the five network sessions.

Program Type: In-Person

Program Dates: All dates tentative; in-person sessions will be from 9:00–12:00 in central Massachusetts.

  • Wednesday, September 13, 2023 (virtual; 9:00–11:00)
  • Wednesday, October 11, 2023
  • Wednesday, November 8, 2023
  • Wednesday, January 17, 2024
  • Wednesday, March 6, 2024
  • Wednesday, May 1, 2024

CIS Contact: Reuben Henriques

Investigating History Professional Learning Communities

Registration

Intended Audience: Fifth, sixth, and seventh grade teachers using the Investigating History curriculum

Program Description: Teaching a comprehensive, inquiry-based social studies curriculum like Investigating History for the first time can be challenging work! These virtual professional learning communities are intended to provide a collaborative space for grade-alike teachers to learn together and support one another as they implement the Investigating History curriculum. Each professional learning community will be led by an experienced Investigating History Fellow who has experience using the curriculum in their classroom, but participants will also be an important source of support for each other as they address common challenges and share new approaches they're trying, collaboratively analyze student work, and prepare for upcoming lessons and units. Teachers who have used Investigating History in the past are welcome too and will have dedicated opportunities to connect with each other.

Program Type: Virtual

Program Dates: TBD; PLCs will meet virtually, after school every 3–4 weeks

CIS Contact: Reuben Henriques

Elementary Social Studies Collaborative Network

Registration

Intended Audience: District, school, or department leaders who support elementary social studies instruction

Program Description: This network will support school leaders, district leaders, curriculum coordinators, and department leads to strengthen social studies at the elementary level. Meeting topics will focus both on pedagogical priorities for high-quality elementary social studies and the logistical realities of implementation in an elementary setting. Participants will collaboratively explore resources, deepen their understanding of best practices, and problem-solve in order to further their school or district's capacity to provide all students in grades K–5 with consistent, aligned, culturally responsive social studies instruction.

Note: In order to support meaningful and sustained collaboration over the course of the year, we are asking participants to commit to consistent attendance in this network. While we recognize that unexpected conflicts may arise, please only register for this network if you think you will be able to attend at least five of the six network sessions.

Program Type: Virtual, In-Person

Program Dates: In-person sessions will run from 1:00 to 3:00 in central Massachusetts. Virtual sessions will run from 9:00 to 11:00 concurrently with the History/Social Science Leaders Network. All dates tentative.

  • Thursday, September 21, 2023 (in-person)
  • Thursday, October 19, 2023 (virtual)
  • Thursday, December 14, 2023 (in-person)
  • Thursday, January 25, 2024 (in-person)
  • Thursday, March 28, 2024 (in-person)
  • Thursday, May 23, 2024 (virtual)

CIS Contact: Rebekah Judson

Arts & Cultural Vitality (ACV) Index Professional Learning Community

To register, please email the contact for this opportunity via the email below.

Intended Audience: School or district-level educators using the Arts and Cultural Vitality Index

Program Description: DESE is offering a Professional Learning Community (PLC) for schools and/or districts who want to engage with the Arts & Cultural Vitality Index. This resource is a voluntary self-evaluation schools can use to examine their unique arts and cultural assets. The ACV Index details a structure for identifying areas of strength, and pinpointing opportunities to advance the arts and cultural vitality within the school community. In this PLC, educators using the ACV Index will share their strategies and collaboratively navigate common pitfalls.

Program Type: Virtual

Program Dates: 4:00–5:00pm
Wednesday, December 13, 2023;
Wednesday, March 06, 2024;
Tuesday, April 30, 2024;
Monday, May 20, 2024

CIS Contact: Dawn Benski

Arts Leaders Network

Registration

Intended Audience: Current and aspiring arts education leaders, lead arts teachers, arts content coaches, and arts coordinators, arts content designees invited to attend by a district's curriculum director or school principal. We also encourage district/school teams to attend to grow capacity in arts leadership.

Program Description: The Arts Leaders Network will support current and aspiring PreK–12 arts leaders to collaborate, to engage in discussions relevant to the arts and their role as leaders, and to share resources and strategies for addressing various arts content priorities across the state. Sessions may be considered stand-alone opportunities for attendance. However, participating in all sessions provides participants with a more deeply connected community and cohesive experience overall. Participants in the Arts Leaders Network (ALN) will have the choice to be awarded Digital Badges for their participation in sessions and associated tasks. The completely OPTIONAL digital badge system will allow participants to submit their ALN badges to their district to request district-issued PDPs.

Program Type: Virtual

Program Dates: 4:30–6:00pm
Wednesday, November 15, 2023;
Tuesday, January 16, 2024;
Thursday, March 7, 2024;
Tuesday, May 14, 2024

CIS Contact: Dawn Benski

Arts Mentorship Network

Registration

Intended Audience: Arts educators who identify as novice-level

Program Description: The Arts Mentorship Network will support arts educators who identify as novice-level in their career by establishing a community of peers and mentorship touchpoints throughout the school year. Participating new arts educators from across Massachusetts will have the opportunity to advance their skills in curriculum and instruction and receive support from veteran mentors for the specific challenges visual and performing arts teachers face. The Arts Mentorship Network can be used to partially satisfy district-level induction and mentoring program requirements.

Program Type: Virtual, In-Person

Program Dates (Tentative):

Two tentative In-person dates will be held regionally- first session in the Fall and second session in the Spring, locations TBD

Virtual Sessions (all regions), approximately six sessions spread across the year.

CIS Contact: Dawn Benski

Educator Preparation Advisory Group

Registration Link: Applications for SY2023-24 closed on May 26, 2023.

Intended Audience: Representatives from Educator Preparation Providers (traditional and alternative)

Program Description: The 23-24 Ed Prep Advisory Group will serve as key advisors to inform the updated program review expectations, including the identification of best practices for the updated guidelines and the build out of resources for the updated program review expectations.

Program Type: Hybrid

Program Dates: 11/14/23, 12/12/23, 2/27/24, 3/26/24, 4/23/24 and 5/14/24

CIS Contact: Taciane Santos

PST/CAP Working Group

Registration Link: Registration will open in late Summer 2023.

Intended Audience: Representatives from Educator Preparation Providers (traditional and alternative) and PreK–12 educators

Program Description: The SY2023-24 Professional Standards for Teaching & Candidate Assessment of Performance Working Group will inform revisions to the Professional Standards for Teaching (PSTs) in accordance with updated educator evaluation rubrics, and relatedly, the selection of aligned essential elements for the Candidate Assessment of Performance (CAP).

Program Type: Hybrid

Program Dates: Target launch date: November 2023. Additional dates TBD.

CIS Contact: Lindsay Zorich

Educator Preparation Communities of Practice

Registration Link: Registration will open in late Summer 2023 and remain open on a rolling basis.

Intended Audience: Representatives from Educator Preparation Providers (traditional and alternative)

Program Description: Communities of Practice comprised of educator preparation personnel will convene regularly with DESE staff to discuss share best practices and inform revisions to program approval requirements aligned to antiracist and evidence-based practices.

Program Type: Hybrid

Program Dates: Target launch date: Fall 2023. All dates TBD.

CIS Contact: Lindsay Zorich

Early Literacy Formative Feedback Reviews for Educator Preparation Programs

Registration Link: Formative Feedback Reviews for Early Literacy Programs

Intended Audience: Sponsoring Organizations with Approved Programs in Early Childhood, Elementary, and Moderate Disabilities

Program Description: An opportunity for sponsoring organizations with Early Childhood, Elementary, and Moderate Disabilities licensure programs to examine their current early literacy practices through a no-stakes, confidential, formative feedback review conducted by TPI-US.

Program Type: Hybrid

Program Dates: Ongoing through Spring 2024.

CIS Contact: Siobhan Allen

Classroom Teacher Model Rubric Pilot

Registration

Intended Audience: K–12 Districts and Schools

Program Description: Districts are invited to participate in a pilot of the draft Classroom Teacher Evaluation Rubric which has been updated to integrate culturally and linguistically sustaining practices; pilot will include OPTIC calibration training and a virtual community of practice for school leaders and teachers.

Program Type: Hybrid

Program Dates: SY2023-24.

CIS Contact: Shannon Clancy

Aspiring Principal Fellowship

Registration Link: TBD.

Intended Audience: Aspiring and Mentor Principals

Program Description: The Aspiring Principal Fellowship program aims to center and cultivate culturally responsive, equity driven and anti-racist practices to develop and build the capacity of aspiring and current school leaders in the Commonwealth. This program will prepare aspiring principals to be eligible for provisional licensure through the apprenticeship/internship licensure route.

Program Type: Hybrid

Program Dates: Spring 2024 – Spring 2025. .

CIS Contact: Joretha Lewis

Principal Model Rubric Community of Practice

Registration Link: TBD.

Intended Audience: School and District Leaders

Program Description: Professional learning series focused on implementation of the new model evaluation rubric for school leaders.

Program Type: Virtual

Program Dates: Monthly professional learning sessions throughout SY2023-24.

CIS Contact: Joretha Lewis

Principal and Teacher Advisory Cabinet

Registration Link: Applications are open through June 9, 2023. 2023-2024 Principal and Teacher Advisory Cabinet Application

Intended Audience: All PK–12 school-based educators, including teachers, specialists, coaches, paraeducators, principals, and assistant/vice principals

Program Description: DESE convenes the Principal and Teacher Advisory Cabinet each year as a way to recognize excellent educators, elevate educator voices at the state level, and provide opportunities for leadership. Cabinet members will serve as a key advisor in the development of a framework for culturally and linguistically sustaining communication and literacy skills. The design of this framework is the first step in a multi-year process to revise the Communication and Literacy Skills MTEL. The goal is to develop a more equitable test that meets the statutory requirement to "demonstrate the communication and literacy skills necessary for effective instruction and improved communication between school and parents." (M.G.L. ch. 71 § 38G)

Program Type: Hybrid

Program Dates:

  • Session 1 — Thursday, September 28, 2023
  • Session 2 — Thursday, October 19, 2023
  • Session 3 — Thursday, December 14, 2023
  • Session 4 — Thursday, February 8, 2024
  • Session 5 — Thursday, April 11, 2024
  • Session 6 — Thursday, June 13, 2024 * (Tentative)

CIS Contact: Joretha Lewis

Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure® (MTEL®) Test Development Committees

Registration Link: Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure® Recruitment

Intended Audience: PreK–12 Massachusetts public school educators and higher education faculty

Program Description: The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson are seeking Massachusetts educators who wish to participate in test development activities for the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure® (MTEL®). Current test development activities include review of draft test materials for existing tests, updated tests, and new tests under development. We are committed to centering voices of those who have been systemically marginalized in public education, and strongly encourage Black, Indigenous, LatinX, Asian, and other educators of color, and members of other systemically marginalized groups to apply.

Program Type: In-Person

Program Dates: Committees typically meet over the course of two to three days, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.

CIS Contact: EvaluationSystemsCRG@pearson.com

Enhancing Grade level Math and Science Instructional for all through a Multilingual Lens

Interest Form: Coming soon!

Intended Audience: Specifically designed for the core math or science content teachers and the language teachers that support the STEM classroom. Appropriate for STEM directors and coaches, and Bilingual/EL directors and instructional coaches.

Program Description: Participants will connect and apply aspects of the WIDA English Language Development Framework to the Mathematics and Science and Technology/Engineering Frameworks to support grade level access to content for all learners in the core classroom. Grounded in the philosophy of shared responsibility, accountability, and expertise as central to multilingual learner success, this workshop will explore contexts for simultaneous implementation of the WIDA ELD 2020 Framework and its alignment with the MA Blueprint for EL success, the MA Frameworks, and Deeper Learning.

Upon completion DESE will award 15 PDPs that fulfills the requirement SEI, ESL or Bilingual Education educators need to renew their licenses.

Program Type: In-Person

Program Dates: Workshop offered onsite and available on school/district/collaborative request.
School/district/collaborative will be responsible for hosting workshop including venue, publicity, logistics and recruitment of participants (minimum of 10 participants). Requests for multi-district initiative entertained.

CIS Contact: Meto Raha

Early Literacy Observation Tool Support

Registration Link: TBD

Intended Audience: Educator Preparation Program Supervisors

Program Description: DESE will facilitate a community of practice for Educator Preparation Program Supervisors who will be using the new CAP Early Literacy Observation Form. The community of practice will include both synchronous and asynchronous opportunities for supervisors to build understanding of evidence-based early literacy practices and strengthen skills in observing and providing high-quality feedback in this content area.

Program Type: Hybrid

Program Dates: TBD

CIS Contact: Shannon.Clancy@mass.gov

DLCS Summit

Registration Link: TBD

Intended Audience: Administrators, Educators, Researchers, and other organizations dedicated to broadening participation in Digital Literacy and Computer Science Education in Massachusetts

Program Description:
This annual event brings together stakeholders from across Massachusetts to advance high-quality, equitable digital literacy and computer science education in MA. The Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Summit provides a forum in which to disseminate best practices in DLCS district initiatives and academic research that contribute to student success in learning the necessary technology skills for their futures. Keynote speakers have been national advocates for computer science education and session presenters include MA district leaders and researchers from our local, esteemed universities and educational partners. Join us to learn from others, network with colleagues, and share your expertise.

Program Type: In-Person

Program Dates: May or June 2024

CIS Contact: Paula.B.Moore@mass.gov

Last Updated: February 28, 2024

 
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