Registration Link: Teaching for Civic Empowerment - Center for Instructional Support
Intended Audience: Elementary Teachers and Leaders, High School Teachers and Leaders, Teachers and Leaders implementing the student-led Civics Project
Program Description: Teaching for Civic Empowerment provides courses designed to strengthen and elevate civics education statewide. Through these courses, educators gain practical tools for engaging instruction and for leading meaningful, student-led civic action.
Mode: Virtual, In-Person
Program Dates: Courses will be offered year round beginning in July 2026
Contact for Questions: Miesha Keita
Registration Link: SY26-27 IMplement MA: Evaluate & Select High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) Network Registration
Intended Audience: District and school instructional leaders (assistant superintendents, curriculum directors/coordinators, principals, assistant principals, instructional coaches) across grades PreK–12.
Program Description: Facilitated by Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE staff, the Evaluate & Select (HQIM) Network supports district leadership teams in leading a coherent, evidence-based curriculum selection process grounded in their instructional vision and local context. Anchored in the IMplement MA Guide and powered by curriculum literacy, teams build the knowledge, tools, and local capacity to identify high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) that best align with their students' needs while creating the conditions for successful implementation and instructional equity.
Mode: Virtual
Contact for Questions: Nicole Rodriguez-Rowe
Registration Link: SY26-27 IMplement MA: Implement & Monitor High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) Network Registration
Program Description: The Implement & Monitor High-Quality Instructional Materials HQIM Network supports district and school instructional leaders in creating the conditions for successful implementation of standards-aligned, high-quality instructional materials (HQIM). Anchored in the IMplement MA Guide and facilitated by Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE staff, the network supports leaders in strengthening the structures, practices, and organizational capacity needed to sustain coherent instructional systems, strong Tier I instruction, and continuous improvement that advances equitable outcomes for all students.
Contact for Questions: Jeff Pera
Registration Link: To be determined TBD
Intended Audience: Districts receiving Dual Language Bilingual Education DLBE grant funding
Program Description:The Dual Language Bilingual Education Community of Practice will be organized as a year-long differentiated support model for:
Plan and launch their first Dual Language Bilingual Education DLBE program (Cohort 1A), or
Expand and sustain an existing Dual Language Bilingual Education DLBE program (Cohort 1B).
Districts who are exploring High Quality Instructional Materials in Languages other than English (Cohort 2).
This differentiated structure allows the CoP to provide targeted technical assistance throughout the full year while maintaining alignment across both cohorts around our updated Dual Language Bilingual Education DLBE guidance and the commissioner's priorities.
Mode: Hybrid
Contact for Questions: Elenita Irizarry Ramos , Bilingual Education Lead
Registration Link: Coming Soon
Intended Audience: Early Childhood Coordinators and Elementary Principals
Program Description: These in-person sessions are designed to bring together early childhood coordinators and elementary principals to network on early learning topics. Sessions are typically held in an elementary school and include a school walk-through, case consultancy, resource sharing and a time for networking.
Mode: In-Person
Program Dates: 12/8, 12/10, 12/14/ and 12/16 from 9:00–12:00 (Locations to be determined)
Contact for Questions: Donna Traynham ; 781-338-6372
Program Description: These virtual sessions are an opportunity for early childhood coordinators and elementary principals to come together to network on a variety of early learning topics. Topics discussed during the sessions are generated based on the interests/questions of the participants.
Program Dates: 5/6, 5/13/, 5/20 and 5/27 from 12:00–1:00
Intended Audience: Public school early childhood coordinators, elementary principals, Career and Technical Education (CTE) early childhood staff, Preschool-3rd grade classroom educators
Program Description: This year long professional development series has been developed in collaboration with the Massachusetts School Administrators Association (MSAA). In response to the Center on Early Learning Success (CELS) recently released brief on the pedagogy of early learning , the theme for the 2026-2027 professional development series will be: Bridging the Pedagogy of Early Learning with Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Practices in the Early Grades. The series will include a combination of webinars, in-person convenings and networking sessions, as well as virtual book discussions and virtual lunch and learn sessions noted below:
Program Dates: October 2026 – May 2027
Contact for Questions: Donna Traynham
Registration Link: Arts Leaders Network Registration 2026-2027
Intended Audience: Current and aspiring PreK–12 arts leaders in Massachusetts, including those leading with or without titles.
Program Description: Are you looking for a free way to boost your leadership to advance arts education in Massachusetts?
Then join the Arts Leaders Network community as it continues into its sixth exciting year. In the Arts Leaders Network community, you will experience:
Contact for Questions: Dawn Benski , Arts Content Support Lead
Registration Link: FC 718 grant recipients will receive Zoom link automatically upon award. All other interested arts educators should email dawn.m.benski@mass.gov to join.
Program Description: For SY26-27, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE offers a free cohort-model Professional Learning Community (PLC) for schools/districts who are preparing for and engaging in a self-review using the Arts & Cultural Vitality Index. All Massachusetts schools/districts are invited to attend the Professional Learning Community PLC for support in using the resource.
Grant Launch: November 9, 2026, 4:00–5:30 p.m.(Track 1 is 4:00–5:00 pm; Tracks 2 & 3 are 5:00–5:30 pm)
Professional Learning Community PLC #1: December 9, 2027, 4:00–5:30 p.m.(Overlapping— Track 1 is 4:00–5:00 pm; Tracks 2 & 3 are 4:30–5:30 pm)
Professional Learning Community PLC #2: January 27, 2027, 4:00–5:30 p.m.(Overlapping— Track 1 is 4:00–5:00 pm; Tracks 2 & 3 are 4:30–5:30 pm)
Professional Learning Community PLC #3: March 17, 2027, 4:00–5:30 p.m.(Overlapping— Track 1 is 4:00–5:00 pm; Tracks 2 & 3 are 4:30–5:30 pm)
Professional Learning Community PLC #4: April 28, 2027, 4:00–5:00 p.m.(All tracks)
Registration Link: PK12 Arts Fall Forum Registration- 2026
Program Description: The Department invites arts educators and other supporting roles to join its Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE Arts Forums (Virtual)
Registration Deadline is September 17, 2026, 11:59pm.
Choose one or both:Forum 1: FY27 Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE Arts Opportunities During the session, participants will learn more about current and upcoming resources, opportunities, and initiatives provided by the Department so they can best prepare as they settle into the 2026-2027 school year.
Forum 2: Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE's New Arts Curriculum Guide
During the session, participants will receive an overview of the new, featured resource. Attendees will be able to engage with one another to discuss how the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE Arts Curriculum Guide can best be used to support their teaching needs.
Registration Link: PK12 Arts Curriculum PLC .
Intended Audience: 1) Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE invites individuals who work in any of the arts disciplines (Dance, Media Arts, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts) in PreK–12 school settings to participate. 2) Any school or district administrators who are responsible for supporting arts programming are invited to attend.
Program Description: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) proudly announces the publishing of a featured resource in the area of curriculum for PreK–12 arts educators. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE Arts Curriculum Guide includes guidance for ensuring High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) in the Arts.
Attend three sessions as part of a Professional Learning Community (PLC) that creates a collaborative cohort of Arts Curriculum colleagues statewide in each of the arts disciplines.
PDPs will be awarded for individuals who commit to all three sessions and additional required work totaling 10 contact hours.
Registration Link: T&L Content Leaders Network Registration 2026-2027
Intended Audience:The Comprehensive Health and Physical Education CHPE Leaders Network spans across more than 100 districts and engages over 200 specialists including:
Program Description: The Comprehensive Health and Physical Education CHPE Leaders Networks is a professional network and community of learners that includes PK–12 district and school leaders in MA. Members of the network engage in collaborative discussions relevant to their role as educators and leaders within their districts. There are opportunities to expand their professional network, share resources and strategies around equitable implementation of the Comprehensive Health and Physical Education CHPE curriculum framework using high-quality instructional materials (HQIM), and provide input on Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE initiatives.
During the 2026-2027 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.
Contact for Questions: Beth Williams-Breault, Ed.D. , Comprehensive Health and Physical Education CHPE Content Support Lead
Intended Audience: The Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Leaders Network is open to representatives from public schools, charter schools, collaboratives, private schools, parochial schools, and Digital Literacy and Computer Science DLCS educational organizations located in Massachusetts.
Program Description: The Digital Literacy and Computer Science DLCS Leaders Network is a statewide professional learning community designed for school and district leaders supporting Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) education in Massachusetts. This network provides participants with opportunities to engage with current Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE initiatives, explore emerging topics in Digital Literacy and Computer Science DLCS and artificial intelligence (AI), and collaborate with colleagues across the Commonwealth.
Meetings feature updates on state guidance, policy, curriculum, instructional resources, licensure pathways, and implementation strategies, all aligned with the Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science DLCS Curriculum Framework including learning related to inclusive and culturally and linguistically sustaining Digital Literacy and Computer Science DLCS practices that support multilingual learners and diverse student populations.
Participants will also learn from district and industry spotlight presentations that highlight innovative practices, equitable access, and real-world applications of computer science and AI in K–12 education.
The network is intended to support educational leaders in building sustainable, future-ready Digital Literacy and Computer Science DLCS programs that prepare students for success in an increasingly digital world.
Contact for Questions: Alva Laster
Registration Link: Literacy Launch
Intended Audience: Educators who teach or support early literacy instruction in grades preschool-3 (district/school leaders, classroom teachers, reading interventionists, Special Education teachers, reading specialists, literacy coaches, English as a Second Language ESL teachers, paraeducators, Educator Preparation Program EPP faculty and staff, supervising practitioners, program directors, lead teachers, teaching assistants)
Program Description: Literacy Launch Institutes are designed to spread powerful, evidence-based early literacy instruction that celebrates Massachusetts students' cultural and linguistic strengths. These institutes offer free professional learning to deepen understanding of evidence-based, culturally and linguistically sustaining early literacy practices. With differentiated tracks available (Novice, Advanced, Preschool, School & District Leaders, and Educator Prep Program Faculty and Staff), there's a learning path to meet the needs of each educator across the Commonwealth.
Team Coaching Opportunity:Teams that attend the Institute together can take their learning even further. Eligible school and district teams may apply for free, on-site follow-up coaching from HILL for Literacy, giving teams the chance to work side-by-side with expert coaches to turn new knowledge into classroom practice.
Contact for Questions: Amy Tavares
Intended Audience: District- and School-Based Literacy Leaders
Program Description: The Literacy Leaders Network (LLN) is a professional network and learning community that meets multiple times throughout the school year. Convened by the literacy team at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Literacy Leaders Network LLN supports school- and district-level leaders in advancing equitable, evidence-based literacy instruction across Massachusetts.
Through this network, members share ideas, resources, and best practices centered on equity while engaging in professional learning designed to strengthen literacy leadership, instructional systems, and culturally and linguistically sustaining practices.
This year, the network will provide opportunities to:
Literacy Leaders Network LLN offers a collaborative space for literacy leaders to learn from one another, strengthen professional practice, and support high-quality literacy teaching and learning for all students across Massachusetts.
Contact for Questions: Linda Sewnarine
Registration Link: HQIM Communities of Practice Application | 2026/2027
Intended Audience: The target audience will be interdisciplinary teams of key school and district-level administrators and educators currently employed in Massachusetts public, charter, and collaborative schools.
Program Description: These curriculum-specific High-Quality Instructional Materials HQIM Communities of Practice will support schools and districts implementing high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) for English Language Arts ELA/Literacy. For SY26/27, the communities of practice will focus on the implementation of CKLA/Amplify, EL Education, and Wit & Wisdom.
Through collaborative professional learning, district teams will deepen their understanding of curriculum-specific instructional routines and strengthen culturally and linguistically sustaining instructional practices that support deeper learning for students.
Participants will engage in interactive sessions that include grade-band and role-specific breakouts, hands-on work with curriculum materials, and dedicated team planning time. Each district will also receive targeted implementation support through on-site coaching visits and strategic advising calls provided by a vendor. District reams will also have opportunities to network with peers implementing the same curriculum, share strategies, and build lasting professional connections.
Contact for Questions: Lori McNally
Program Description: Coming Soon
Program Dates: November 20, 2026 9:00–12:00
Registration Link: Sign up for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE Civics Memo to receive updates and registration information for the Showcases.
Intended Audience: 8th Grade and High School Students and Teachers
Program Description: Chapter 296 of the Acts of 2018 , An Act to Promote and Enhance Civic Engagement, includes provisions related to civics education and student-led, non-partisan civics projects. Each spring, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE celebrates the work of 8th–12th grade civics students across the state at the Massachusetts Civics Project Showcases. Through "science fair-style" showcases, students have the opportunity to share their student-led civics projects with local community advisors and each other, receive feedback on their work, and be recognized for their civic engagement. At each Showcase, volunteer community advisors have short conversations with students about their projects, asking questions and offering feedback based on their own expertise. Given the wide range in project topics, advisors come from a diversity of backgrounds: community organizers, legislators, business and non-profit leaders, educators, healthcare workers, and more.
Program Dates: Spring 2027 (To be determined TBD)
Contact for Questions: Julia Lucas
Intended Audience: Teacher leaders, school leaders, and district leaders who support history/social science
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. 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 Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE initiatives and priorities over the course of the year.
Contact for Questions: Rebekah Judson
Registration Link: Coming in November 2026
Intended Audience: Grade 11 and 12 high school students from any Massachusetts public, private, charter or parochial school, accompanied by one adult chaperone (school faculty or parent/guardian)
Program Description: Student Government Day provides educators and students from Massachusetts's public and private high schools with an opportunity to learn first-hand about state government. Following in-school elections in the fall, students prepare to visit the State House in the spring to participate in the legislative process through simulated committee hearings and House and Senate formal sessions. Students will voice their positions on important current issues through prepared debates, interact with government officials and exchange views with their peers from across the state on statewide issues. Participating students will also have the opportunity to participate in a speech competition where the winners are chosen to sit as Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Constitutional Officers and other elected officials for the day.
Program Dates: Friday, April 2, 2027
Contact for Questions: Alexia Cribbs
Intended Audience: The Math Leaders Network (MLN) core membership consists of Massachusetts district and school-based mathematics leaders as well as individuals from organizations that support mathematics education across the Commonwealth. The content of the network is most relevant for individuals who make curriculum decisions; plan, organize, or facilitate professional learning; and/or support classroom mathematics instruction and leadership. The network is open to representatives from public schools, charter schools, collaboratives, private schools, parochial schools, higher education institutions, and educational organizations located in Massachusetts.
Program Description: The Math Leaders Network (MLN) is a professional network and learning community that meets multiple times throughout the school year. The network is convened by the mathematics team at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as part of programming aligned with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE Educational Vision. Through the network, members share ideas, resources, and promising practices centered on equitable mathematics instruction while engaging in workshops, collaborative discussions, and professional learning opportunities designed to strengthen standards-aligned mathematics teaching and leadership.
While the specific content of meetings may vary, sessions generally include:
Contact for Questions: Fabrice Kandjanga
Intended Audience: Science and Technology/Engineering District Leaders Network STEDLN is open to representatives from public, charter, collaboratives, private, parochial schools, and collaboratives, as well as science educational organizations located in Massachusetts that make curriculum/instructional decisions; plan, organize, or deliver professional learning; and/or provide feedback to classroom science teachers.
Program Description: Science and Technology/Engineering District Leaders Network STEDLN is a professional network and learning community that meets multiple times during the school year. This network is convened by the science team at the Massachusetts Department for Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to support school- and district-level leaders in advancing equitable science instruction across Massachusetts.
Here, members share ideas, resources, and best practices centered on inclusive and culturally and linguistically sustaining practices in science education while engaging in professional learning designed to enhance their leadership skills to support the implementation of the Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework. The exact content of meetings may vary, but meetings generally include:
Mode: Virtual, In-Person, Hybrid
Contact for Questions: Casandra Gonzalez
Intended Audience: Awardees of the Strengthening English as a Second Language ESL Programming and Services Grant District teams.
Program Description: This statewide facilitated cohort supports districts in strengthening High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) implementation for English learners aligned to World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment WIDA 2020 standards and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE guidance. Participants will engage with the Next Generation English as a Second Language ESL (NGESL) Curriculum Design Modules, apply the High-Quality Instructional Materials HQIM-Next Generation English as a Second Language NGESL Review Process and English as a Second Language ESL Curriculum Review Rubric, analyze district English as a Second Language ESL instructional systems, and develop implementation plans to strengthen curriculum, instruction, assessment, professional learning, and multilingual learner outcomes. The cohort also supports alignment to district continuous improvement efforts, including Targeted and Focused Monitoring (TFM) corrective action and English Learner Education ELE program improvement planning, as applicable.
Program Dates: October 2026 – June 2027
Contact for Questions: Judith R. Magloire , English Learner Education ELE Programming Manager
Intended Audience: MLE, English Learner Education ELE, Dual Language Bilingual Education DLBE, World Languages WL, Heritage Language HL Leaders
Program Description: An opportunity for multilingual leaders in English Learner Education, Bilingual Education, World Language Education and the Seal of Biliteracy program to network and to deepen their understanding as leaders of various multilingual programs, strengthen connections with Department of Elementary and Secondary Education support personnel and resources, and to learn best practices from research and their colleagues
Program Dates: Quarterly (Dates To be determined TBD)
Last Updated: August 6, 2026