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A message from the
Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education

September 27, 2019
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News from Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Contents:

  1. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Meeting
  2. 2019 National Green Ribbon Honorees
  3. 2019 National Blue Ribbon Schools
  4. Civic Engagement Champion
  5. MCAS and Accountability Results
  6. FY20 Educator Diversification RFP
  7. Registration Last Call for Leading with Access and Equity Convening
  8. Edwin “Office Hours” Webinars
  9. For Your Info: Teacher Collaborative Co-Labs

1. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Meeting:


The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education met September 24 at Taconic High School in Pittsfield. They heard from a Pittsfield educator diversity panel and a presentation by the Berkshire County Education Task Force. The Board voted to solicit public comment on a proposed amendment to Competency Determination regulations. Members also discussed Commissioner Riley's goals for 2019-2020 school year; 2019 student, school, and district MCAS and accountability results; the FY20 budget; and the FY21 budget timeline.

2. 2019 National Green Ribbon Honorees:

Picture of the Week:

Students and staff at Boston Green Academy display the Green Ribbon Award plaque they received this week for being a National Green Ribbon School. (Photo courtesy of Boston Green Academy)
A group of about 20 students and staff stand under a Boston Green Academy banner. The student in the center is holding a plaque with a green citation.
Three Massachusetts schools and districts – Boston Green Academy, Ipswich Middle/High School, and the Wellesley Public Schools – were honored this week in Washington, D.C. as National Green Ribbon Schools. The program honors schools 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; civic skills; and green career pathways. Congratulations to all involved on this amazing accomplishment!
 
Massachusetts is now accepting applications for the 2020 Green Ribbon Schools, due Friday, January 17. 2020. Applicants may enter the competition as either a school or a district. Massachusetts will select one or more schools or districts to be honored 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 winner. For more information, visit DESE’s Green Ribbon Schools website.

3. 2019 National Blue Ribbon Schools:


Earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos recognized six Massachusetts schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2019. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. All six Massachusetts schools were recognized for high performance. The six schools are: Community Day Charter Public School – R. Kingman Webster in Lawrence, Charles J. Prescott Elementary School in Norwood, Downey School in Westwood, E. Ethel Little Elementary School in North Reading, Harrington Elementary School in Lexington, and Westhampton Elementary School in Westhampton. Congratulations to all!

4. Civic Engagement Champion:


Massachusetts History Teacher of the Year Michael Neagle is one of four middle school teachers who the National Association of State Boards of Education recently named Civic Engagement Champions. Mr. Neagle, who teaches social studies at Pyne Arts Magnet School in Lowell, was also a semifinalist for 2020 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. The other Civic Engagement Champions are from Chicago; Baltimore County, Md.; and Oak Harbor, Wash. Congratulations, Mr. Neagle!

5. MCAS and Accountability Results:


The Department released 2019 MCAS results and school and district accountability determinations on September 24. The release includes the first year of next generation MCAS results for grade 10 and the third year of results for students in grades 3 through 8. It also includes the second year of results based on the state’s accountability system, which measures how a school or district is doing and what kind of support it may need.
 
Based on the 2019 accountability results (download), 71 percent of schools are demonstrating improvement. Two schools exited underperforming status this year: William Ellery Channing Elementary School in Boston and John J. Duggan Middle School in Springfield. In addition, the commissioner commended 67 schools of recognition. Congratulations to all of those that were recognized!

6. FY20 Educator Diversification RFP:


As a reminder, the FY20 Educator Diversification Grant RFP is now posted. The competitive Teacher Diversification Pilot Program is designed to help school districts strengthen and diversify existing teacher recruitment and retention programs. Please note an update in the eligibility language in the RFP. As previously stated, districts identified as requiring assistance or intervention based on 2019 accountability data are eligible to apply for the grant. In addition, a district is also eligible to apply if one or more schools in the district fulfill any one of the criteria below:
  • Is among the lowest 10th percentile of schools
  • Has a low graduation rates
  • Has low subgroup performance
  • Has low MCAS participation
Please reference DESE’s District and School Accountability webpage to access accountability lists, materials, and tools. 
 
The Department will conduct two more one-hour webinars on October 1 and 2 to review the purpose of the grant, provide an overview of grant requirements, and address any questions districts may have. Registration for the webinars is open online.
 
Grant proposals are due at 5 p.m. Wednesday, October 9. For questions related to this grant opportunity, please email MA_Educator_Diversification@doe.mass.edu.

7. Registration Last Call for Leading with Access and Equity Convening:


All districts are invited to send a team to the Second Annual Leading with Access and Equity Convening on Thursday, October 24 at the Best Western Conference Center in Marlborough. This free, daylong professional development opportunity will focus on topics such as creating a pipeline of diverse educators, developing multi-tiered systems of support, ensuring equitable access to high-quality curriculum, implementing bilingual education, ensuring racial and cultural equity, engaging families, addressing student mobility, addressing students’ mental health needs, and integrating social emotional and academic learning. Presenters will include special educator and author Jessica Minahan and other expert district, DESE, and partner organization leaders and practitioners from across the Commonwealth.
  
Districts are invited to attend as a team of at least three and up to ten members. Registration is open until Friday, October 4 and will be capped at 700 participants. Districts should register their team online as soon as possible. Anyone with questions about the conference can email Susan Fischer.

8. Edwin “Office Hours” Webinars:


Want to learn about MCAS reports? October Edwin “Office Hours” Webinars will highlight MCAS reports. The Department is offering two different times with the same content: 10:00 a.m. Thursday, October 3 or 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 7. Space is limited. Register for the webinar online.

9. For your info:

  • Teacher Collaborative Co-Labs: The Teacher Collaborative is accepting applications for two Co-Labs for Innovation: The Rocket Science Co-Lab, which invites teams of educators to explore ways for students to engage in risk-taking and critical thinking as a regular part of their school experience, and Suburban* Educators for Equity Co-Lab: in which educators will consider how to bring about equity and inclusivity in a suburban setting. (*Note: Although priority will be given to suburban educators, all preK-12 educators in Massachusetts are welcome to apply.) Please email Kat Johnston with any questions.
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