5. Tentative Spring 2021 MCAS Testing Schedule for High Schools:
The Department is providing the tentative spring 2021 MCAS testing windows for high schools. In past years, DESE has required schools to administer high school tests on prescribed dates; that requirement is suspended for spring 2021. Details are provided in the February 11 edition of the Student Assessment Update, including participation guidelines and additional resources. Testing windows are tentatively scheduled for May and June for English language arts and math and June for science and technology/engineering.
|
|
6. New Cybersecurity Profile and Resources:
According to the national December 2020 Cyber Threats to K-12 Remote Learning Education fact sheet, “The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has seen an increase in malicious activity with ransomware attacks against K-12 educational institutions. Malicious cyber actors are targeting school computer systems, slowing access, and rendering the systems inaccessible to basic functions, including remote learning.” The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s new Remote Learning Practice Profile on cybersecurity provides overviews of three important areas for schools and districts: planning and prevention, awareness and education, and identification of cyber attacks and how to respond. Email Jackie Gantzer at Jacqulyn.m.gantzer@mass.gov for more information.
|
|
7. Upcoming LearnLaunch Building Blocks Workshops:
Powerful Learning Experiences to Engage Learners will help school and district leaders engage learners with deeper learning experiences. This workshop pairs with the Cultivating a Culture of Caring workshop, but it is not a prerequisite. These will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 18; 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 23; and 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 25. Register here and explore the Engage Learners Building Block tool.
Sustaining a Strong Educator Workforce (new!) will focus on three elements: defining the challenges, creating a productive work environment, and implementing effective staffing structures. This workshop, the first in a series, will focus on the first two elements. The workshop will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 24; 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 2; and 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 4. Register here and explore the Prepare Educator Building Block tool.
|
|
8. PreK-Grade 3 Remote Learning Partnership Grants:
The Executive Office of Education in conjunction with the Departments of Early Education and Care and Elementary and Secondary Education are releasing $6 million in grants in order to help local education agencies and approved remote learning providers in Boston and Gateway Cities coordinate the implementation of developmentally appropriate practices for young learners (pre-kindergarten through grade 3) whose schools were in hybrid or fully remote schedules as of January 19. The grants are intended to support coordination activities for the remainder of school year 2020-2021, summer 2021, and school year 2021-2022. Grant information can be found on Commbuys here. Expressions of interest are due at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, February 23, and applications are due on Wednesday, March 17.
|
|
9. DESE Resource Corner:
Guidebook of Culturally Diverse Artists & Artworks: Located on the new DESE Arts webpage, the Guidebook of Culturally Diverse Artists & Artworks (download) promotes culturally responsive teaching in the arts by featuring artists and artworks that reflect the racial backgrounds of students of color. The guidebook is designed to highlight art made by people with racial identities that historically have been and continue to be marginalized. The guide offers a variety of case studies that educators can choose to adopt or reference as part of their curriculum.
|
|
10. Financial Literacy Planning and Implementation Grant:
The Financial Literacy Planning and Implementation Grant is now available to help districts select and/or develop materials, curriculum, professional development, and in-person or virtual experiential learning related to financial literacy. Grants are intended to help equip teachers to fully and effectively implement the personal financial literacy standards in the 2018 History and Social Science Framework in order to provide meaningful financial literacy learning experiences for students across grades K-12. Districts may apply for up to $15,000 through these grants; proposals are due on Wednesday, February 24.
|
|
11. Mass Literacy Getting Started Series:
The Department is hosting six sessions for educators about how to use the evidence-based information and resources for grades PreK-3 featured in the Mass Literacy Guide. Each session will feature an experienced educator speaking to their use of evidence-based practices.
The sessions will run from 3:30-4:15 p.m. on Thursdays. The dates and subjects are as follows:
- February 25: Foundational Skills
- March 4: Engaging with Complex Text
- March 11: Skills for Early Reading - Fluent Word Reading
- March 18: Skills for Early Reading - Language Comprehension
- March 25: Students Experiencing Reading Difficulties
- April 1: Leading a Multi-tiered System of Supports
Register here to attend one or more of these sessions.
|
|
12. Deadlines Extended for Non-Resident Chapter 74 Admissions:
The April 1, 2020 deadline for non-resident Chapter 74 vocational technical admissions was extended last year, because the state of emergency made it difficult for some students to complete the process by the dates set out in regulations (603 CMR 4.03(6)(b)2). Students continue to face challenges this year, and Commissioner Riley is again using his authority to change the deadlines for this process for good cause. The extensions are as follows:
- The deadline for parents to submit the non-resident student tuition application to the superintendent in their district of residence is extended from April 1 to May 1.
- The deadline for the superintendent in the district of residence to approve or disapprove the application is extended from 10 days after receipt to 20 days after receipt.
- The deadline for parents to request a DESE review of a superintendent’s non-approval is extended from May 1 to June 1.
- The commissioner may grant additional time on a case-by-case basis for students and families directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Superintendents should inform their member towns of these extended deadlines. In addition, parents may submit their non-resident student tuition application via email without signatures, as long as it contains all of the required information. Superintendents may also approve or disapprove using email without signatures.
Anyone with questions about this process is asked to please email Marnie.A.Jain@mass.gov.
|
|
- Girls Who Code: Girls and non-binary students in grades 9-11 can apply to Girls Who Code’s Virtual Summer Immersion Program, a free, two-week virtual program in which students learn the computer science skills they need to make an impact, get an inside look into the tech field, and join a supportive sisterhood, all while being virtually hosted by companies. The early acceptance deadline for priority consideration is Wednesday, February 17, and the general acceptance deadline is Friday, March 19. Apply today at girlswhocode.com/sipapply, and join an informational webinar to learn more.
|
|
|
|
