5. VISTA 2019 Survey Window is Open:
The survey window for DESE's annual Views of Instruction, State Standards, Teaching, and Assessment (VISTA) surveys is open. Superintendents and principals should have received an individual link from Westat to their surveys. This year, the survey gives educators the opportunity to share their views on four strategic areas of the agency's work: educator effectiveness (hiring, developing, evaluating, and retaining effective educators); the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks; social and emotional learning, health, and safety; and DESE supports.
Results and more information from prior year’s VISTA surveys are available here. The Department has used educator feedback to improve implementation of initiatives, focus resources, grants and supports, and inform policies. The survey is shorter than last year’s and should take 20 to 25 minutes to complete. Superintendents and principals who have not received a survey or who are having trouble accessing their surveys can contact the VISTA Study Help Desk at MAVISTA@westat.com. Anyone with specific questions can email Shelagh Peoples, DESE’s VISTA coordinator, at speoples@doe.mass.edu.
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6. Planning for Success:
Last chance to register for Planning for Success facilitation training! This free, four-day workshop on February 19 to 22 prepares participants to facilitate the full strategic planning process in their own district or for others. Participants can earn 24 professional development points. Contact Planning for Success Consultant Lori Likis (lorilikis@ccoaching.com) or Kathy Cross (kcross@doe.mass.edu) for an application or additional information.
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7. Massachusetts WIC Program Remains Open:
The Massachusetts Women, Infants & Children Program would like to emphasize that the WIC programs are open for business as usual during the federal government shutdown:
- Massachusetts WIC is open for all eligible families to receive program benefits and services.
- WIC food/formula benefits should continue to be redeemed at all authorized retailers.
- WIC participants should keep their appointments to continue their participation in the program.
For more information, visit mass.gov/wic or call 1-800-WIC-1007. Follow the program on Twitter at @MassWIC.
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- Quality Counts: Massachusetts has again ranked top in Education Week’s annual Chance-for-Success Index, part of the news outlet’s Quality Counts coverage that compares public education systems in different states. The index uses 13 indicators that span a lifetime.
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