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A message from the
Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education

January 11, 2021
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News from Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Contents:

  1. COVID-19 Pooled Testing
  2. Assessment and Accountability Update
  3. January 2021 Frequently Asked Questions
  4. Updated Supplemental Guidance for Student Groups and School Events
  5. Remote Learning Practice Profile on Simultaneous Instruction
  6. Preschool to Third Grade High-Quality Remote Learning
  7. Family Engagement with Pinnacle Partnerships
  8. Translated FAQ on Flu Vaccine Requirement
  9. DESE Resource Corner: Promoting Student Engagement, Learning, Well-Being, and Safety During Remote and Hybrid Learning
  10. Reminder about Student Privacy

1. COVID-19 Pooled Testing:


In the coming weeks, DESE and the Department of Public Health (DPH) are seeking to introduce COVID-19 screening testing using a pooled strategy (download) in school settings. Districts that are interested in participating should fill out the brief survey at the link that was emailed to them in a memo on Friday, January 8. Districts should complete the survey by the close of business on Friday, January 15 if they are interested in participating.
 
The January 8 memo also contained details about an optional informational webinar that will run from 10:00-11:15 a.m. on Tuesday, January 12. The webinar will include district leaders who are currently using and finding success with pooled testing, and the webinar will be recorded and posted afterward.
 
Pooled testing involves mixing several test samples together in a “batch” or “pool” and then testing the pooled sample with a PCR test for detection of SARS-CoV-2. This approach increases the number of individuals who can be tested using the same amount of resources as a single PCR test. The test is performed at least once per week with anterior nasal swabs for all students and staff members. Results are delivered within approximately 24-48 hours. If a pooled test result is negative, then all individuals within that pool are presumed negative and may continue to remain in school. If a pooled test result is positive, then all individuals in the pool must quarantine until they are retested individually. The Abbott BinaxNOW rapid point-of-care antigen test will be the primary source of this individual follow-up testing. More detailed guidance on protocols addressing positive/negative pooled test results will be available prior to the launch of this program. The test kits, training, and testing software will be provided by a third-party vendor, and tests will be analyzed at an authorized laboratory.
 
During an initial six-week period, participating districts and schools will receive the test kits, support from a testing service provider, and the testing software to track results, all at no cost to them. In most cases, districts and schools will administer the tests using existing staff resources. Following the initial six-week launch, districts and schools may continue using pooled testing by purchasing the tests and any other accompanying testing materials, software, or support from a statewide contract using their federal stimulus dollars.
 
Districts or schools providing any type of in-person instruction, such as full in-person or hybrid instructional models or in-person services for high needs students, are invited to participate in this initiative. In addition, districts and schools that are currently in a remote instructional model but intend to return to in-person learning are also invited to participate. Private and parochial schools are not able to participate in the early launch, but they are able to purchase tests, materials, and software directly from testing services providers.

2. Assessment and Accountability Update:


On Tuesday, January 5, DESE announced that it will take steps to modify testing this spring, including:
  • Modify the Competency Determination for the Class of 2021: The make-up MCAS administration window for 12th graders scheduled to open on Thursday, January 14 will be postponed. Commissioner Riley will recommend to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education that the competency determination (CD) requirement be modified in English language arts and mathematics for students in the Class of 2021 who have not yet earned their CD. The recommended modification would allow students to receive their CD by passing an approved course and demonstrating competency in that subject in lieu of a qualifying MCAS score. Seniors who still want to take the tests may take them later this school year. Members of the class of 2021 will have opportunities to receive additional academic support this spring and summer.
  • Shortened MCAS Testing Time for Grades 3-8: The Department will significantly reduce testing time for students in grades 3-8 through a session sampling approach in which each student will take only a portion of each MCAS assessment in each subject. This modified MCAS administration will preserve the validity and reliability of the test at the school, district, and state levels. When combined with other data points, this approach will provide meaningful diagnostic data at the individual student level.
  • Accountability Relief: Commissioner Riley will not name or recommend to the Board any new underperforming or chronically underperforming districts or schools in the upcoming school year. The Department will also consider any available flexibilities provided by the U.S. Department of Education.
The full text of the January 5 memo is posted online.

3. January 2021 Frequently Asked Questions:


As schools continue to implement the Protocols for Responding to COVID-19 (last updated on December 16), district and school leaders have raised common questions about specific parts of this document. The Department will continue to issue an intermittent FAQ, developed in collaboration with the Department of Public Health, regarding such questions. The January 11 installment (download) provides further clarification on the following topics: whether an individual who tested positive for COVID-19 has to self-isolate until their sense of smell or taste fully returns and whether an individual will be asked to quarantine as a close contact if they have recently recovered from COVID-19.

4. Updated Supplemental Guidance for Student Groups and School Events:


The Department has revised its Supplemental Guidance for Student Groups and School Events (download) to align with the updated statewide gathering limits. As previously stated in DESE guidance, in-person gatherings (such as events and performances) should be discouraged and must abide by the safety requirements outlined in the guidance referenced above. These safety protocols apply to gatherings of 10 or more that include outside participants, such as in-person events, interschool competitions, and field trips, and that typically involve families and others from outside of the school building. For such events, schools and districts should follow the statewide gathering order to limit the size of indoor and outdoor gatherings. As of January 11, 2021, the statewide gathering limits permit indoor gatherings of no more than 10 individuals and outdoor gatherings of no more than 25 individuals, assuming related safety protocols are followed.

5. Remote Learning Practice Profile on Simultaneous Instruction:


In light of the pandemic, schools are considering new ways to use technology to stay connected with students as schools work through complex factors like scheduling, staffing, engagement, quality of instruction, and equity. Many districts that are prioritizing both in-person learning and synchronous instruction for remote learners are finding success via the simultaneous instruction model (also referred to as “live streaming” and “concurrent instruction”). Technology leaders from Chelmsford, Easton, Hingham, Hopedale, New Bedford, and the Benjamin Banneker Charter School have shared their approaches, challenges, and lessons learned, and a summary is available in this document (download).  This information may be particularly relevant for schools and districts working to increase the amount of live instruction offered in a hybrid model. E-mail Jackie Gantzer at Jacqulyn.M.Gantzer@mass.gov for more information.

6. Preschool to Third Grade High-Quality Remote Learning:


The Departments of Elementary and Secondary Education and Early Education and Care, in partnership with the Executive Office of Education, invite public school and community-based educators and administrators from preschool to third grade to participate in a four-part webinar series on high-quality remote learning for the Commonwealth’s youngest learners. Information and registration links for each webinar is as follows:

7. Family Engagement with Pinnacle Partnerships:


Family engagement is foundational to a healthy school community, especially during a pandemic. The Department has teamed up with Pinnacle Partnerships to work with schools and districts to harness the power of engaging families in culturally competent and innovative ways to help spread the message about COVID-19 mitigation. Three regional Lunch and Learn sessions (immersive workshops) are available in January, following the November 30 statewide Lunch and Learn. The dates and links to register are below. The sessions all run from 12:00-1:30 p.m. and are open to families, school personnel, and administrators.

8. Translated FAQ on Flu Vaccine Requirement:


Translations of the FAQ on the influenza vaccine requirement for school attendance are now available online in Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

9. DESE Resource Corner:


Promoting Student Engagement, Learning, Well-Being, and Safety During Remote and Hybrid Learning: The Department is providing Promoting Student Engagement, Learning, Well-Being and Safety During Remote and Hybrid Learning (Winter 2020) (download) to districts to facilitate continued engagement with students and their families and to help districts connect students and families with additional supports they may need during remote and hybrid learning. The document compiles excerpts of previously released and new DESE guidance, resources, and recommendations.

10. Reminder about Student Privacy:


This resource from the U.S. Department of Education may be helpful to districts as they address questions relating to student privacy and COVID-19.
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