5. Surveys on BCBAs:
The Massachusetts Autism Commission, a state body charged with making recommendations on policies impacting individuals with autism spectrum disorders and individuals with Smith-Magenis syndrome, understands that schools and local education authorities often struggle to find and retain qualified personnel to support children with autism in public school settings. The commission has created two surveys:
- A survey for board certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) working in public school settings, to gather information about the recruitment and retention of these highly-qualified educators; and
- A survey for district leaders to gather information about the recruitment and retention of BCBAs and support personnel (such as paraprofessionals or behavior technicians) who implement Applied Behavior Analysis programs for students with autism.
The commission would appreciate it if BCBAs and district leaders would take a few minutes to respond to the appropriate survey to provide input on this important topic. Responses will be kept confidential and anonymous. The surveys will be open through June 30.
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6. Courses on Social Emotional Learning and Approaches to Play and Learning:
Early childhood educators are invited to register for two different facilitated courses: the 10-hour online version of the introductory course on the Massachusetts Standards for Preschool and Kindergarten Social and Emotional Learning and Approaches to Play and Learning (download) and/or a four-hour online course, Family Engagement in Social Emotional Learning. The Collaborative for Educational Services (CES) developed both courses in partnership with the Department of Early Education and Care and DESE.
The Department is sponsoring more than a dozen presentations of these courses over the next 12 months, with the first starting July 8. All use the Blackboard learning platform. Each class is limited to 20 participants. Educators who complete the full 10-hour course earn 10 professional development points (PDPs) or 1 continuing education unit (CEU). For further information about the courses, contact Jane Haltiwanger at jhaltiwanger@doe.mass.edu.
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7. Call for Presentations for Dissemination Fair:
The Department is excited to present the "Sharing for Success" dissemination fair in November. The fair’s goal is to highlight best practices across diverse school models and connect people interested in those practices. In recognition of the variety of best practices across the Commonwealth, DESE is inviting educators to submit a panel presentation or working session proposal for the fair by July 10. Please note that DESE expects to receive many strong proposals and may not be able to have everyone present.
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8. Printing School and District Report Cards:
In February, DESE published the newly redesigned 2018 school and district report cards, which contain information about school and district performance on a variety of measures and were developed with the input of parents and stakeholders across the state. Based on feedback from schools and districts about their accessibility, DESE has updated the functionality of the report cards, making them printable in English and in other languages. You can search for a school’s or district’s report card and find instructions for printing the reports at reportcards.doe.mass.edu.
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9. Early College Designations:
Governor Charlie Baker awarded designation to early college programs at 13 high schools and eight public colleges during an event at Bunker Hill Community College on June 13. There are now designated early college programs at 35 high schools that are working with 18 colleges. Early college programs combine traditional high school classes with college courses through a local college or university to give students the opportunity to earn up to 12 college credits for free. Congratulations to all!
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10. Influence 100 Reminder:
The Department is launching Influence 100, an initiative to increase the racial and ethnic diversity of superintendents in Massachusetts, create more culturally responsive districts and leaders across the state, and promote better outcomes for students. Influence 100 includes a fellowship program for qualified educators who desire to move into the superintendent role in the next five years, and the initiative also includes support for school districts to become more culturally responsive and diversify their educator workforce. The application deadline is midnight on June 14, and DESE will announce the pilot districts by June 30. The application takes between 45 and 90 minutes to complete. For more information, please go to: http://www.doe.mass.edu/amazingeducators/diversity.html.
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- Mass Learning Excursions: For Massachusetts-based teams interested in reimagining learning in middle-high and high schools, Next Generation Learning Challenges and the Barr Foundation are offering trips to visit innovative schools that have redesigned their entire learning model in Chicago, San Diego, and Washington, D.C. The trips go beyond a school tour and give participants a chance to learn from and with experienced, innovative teachers, students, and school leaders. Stipends are provided. More information is available online, and applications are due by August 30.
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