5. FAQ about Notifications to Close Contacts:
The Department recently posted a new FAQ document about notification requirements for close contacts who are exempted from quarantine because they were within 3-6 feet of distance in the classroom or on the bus while both individuals were masked. The document includes sample notification language for parents/guardians in English and Spanish.
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6. Revised Commencement Guidance:
On Wednesday, April 28, DESE and the Department of Labor Standards released updated guidance on commencement and graduation ceremonies. Under the updated guidance, graduates can sit 3 feet apart from each other during the ceremony if they are outdoors and masked.
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7. Teacher Appreciation Week:
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 3-7. Resources to help celebrate are available from the National PTA and the Teacher Collaborative, and DESE encourages administrators, parents, and students to join us in thanking Massachusetts’ aMAzing educators for all they do!
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8. World Languages Curriculum Framework:
The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted unanimously on Tuesday, April 20 to adopt the 2021 World Languages Curriculum Framework (download). This framework replaces the 1999 Foreign Languages Framework and reflects the goal areas and proficiency levels provided by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. The Department is hosting a webinar to introduce the framework to teachers and administrators at 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 6 and again at 1:30-3:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 20. Registration for the webinars is available here.
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9. Notification Starting for Schools Selected for State YRBS and Youth Health Survey:
In the next two weeks, DESE and the Department of Public Health, in conjunction with ICF Inc. (the survey administrator), will begin to notify schools selected for participation in the fall 2021 high school Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Survey, the Massachusetts Youth Health Survey, and the middle school Massachusetts Youth Health Survey. Superintendents and principals of selected schools will be emailed details individually, and all emails will be followed by phone calls from a member of the survey implementation team to discuss the school’s participation.
The participation of every selected school is extremely important and will benefit the Commonwealth by contributing to statewide information about trends in adolescent health risks. Only a small number of schools are selected, and schools that decline to participate cannot be replaced. Please contact OSFS.SchoolBasedSurveys@mass.gov with any questions.
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10. Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy:
On Tuesday, April 20, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education modified the state graduation requirements for the Class of 2022 so that this year’s 11th graders will not be required to take the MCAS test. The MCAS is still required for all students who wish to earn the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy. Seniors who have not yet earned qualifying scores on the MCAS must take the spring MCAS in order to qualify for the Seal. Districts may apply the results of the spring MCAS to award the Seal retroactively to 2021 seniors after graduation. Juniors wishing to earn the Seal of Biliteracy should likewise be encouraged to participate in this spring’s administration of the MCAS. Juniors who do not participate this spring will be able to test for the Seal during the retest period in fall 2021.
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11. Comprehensive School Mental Health System Opportunity:
The Department, in partnership with the Massachusetts School Mental Health Consortium, is pleased to offer an opportunity for district teams to engage in a learning collaborative facilitated by the National Center for School Mental Health during the 2021-2022 school year. Selected district teams will be given access to professional development, technical assistance, and ongoing coaching as they work to pilot practices to support the establishment of a comprehensive school mental health system.
For more information, see the brief overview and attend an optional information session. The information sessions will be at 10:00-10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 11; 12:30-1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 14; and 2:00-2:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 20. Please use the online registration form to sign up for a session and to receive the application (due Friday, June 4). Anyone with questions can contact DESE’s Office of Student and Family Support at achievement@doe.mass.edu or 781-338-3010.
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12. GSA Student Leadership Council and Summer Summit:
Applications for the Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ Students' 2021-2022 Gender and Sexuality Alliance Student Leadership Council and August Summit are now open! All youth who are in grades 9-12 during the upcoming school year and who live in Massachusetts are eligible to apply as students. Anyone interested in applying as a volunteer must be over 18 years old. All interested in making social change in their community are encouraged to apply. Applications are due Friday, May 14. Accepted applicants will both attend the Summit and be a member of the 2021-2022 GSA Leadership Council.
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13. Elementary Principals Early Learning Convening:
In collaboration with the Massachusetts School Administrators Association, DESE’s Early Learning Team is pleased to announce that registration is open for the next session in a year-long professional development series (download) for elementary principals related to early learning. The next convening will be held from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 27 (rescheduled from a previously announced date). The session will include a 60-minute presentation with Dr. Nicole Christian-Brathwaite on trauma-informed practices for students, staff, principals, and families, followed by breakout sessions in which principals can connect and network with each other. Please register online.
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14. Public Comment on Proposed Amendment to the "Lowest 10 Percent" Ranking:
The Department is soliciting public comment on a proposed amendment (download) to 603 CMR 1.04(9) of the charter school regulations related to the calculation of the list of districts in the lowest 10 percent, which is required by statute. The proposed approach (download) would maintain the list that was released in spring 2020 for a second year.
The proposed amendment and related public comment will be shared with the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for final consideration in June. Comments may be submitted via email to charterschools@doe.mass.edu until Friday, May 28.
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15. Student Opportunity Act Plans Posted:
Districts’ three-year Student Opportunity Act plans are now posted on the DESE website, but readers should keep in mind that districts began submitting their plans in March 2020 before knowing the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. District priorities and budgets may have shifted since these plans were submitted. In April 2022, each district will inform DESE of the district's progress in implementing its three-year plan, the district's success in addressing disparities in student learning experiences and outcomes, and any amendments to the plans.
Please note that the Student Opportunity Act also requires districts to publicly post their plans. Districts can email soaplans@mass.gov with any questions.
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