DESE News Archives

DESE Updates Archive
2026
06/30/2026		Massachusetts Educator Licensure Fees Remain Unchanged; New Payment Processing Options Take Effect July 1, 2026
06/26/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches 250 Snapshots of Farm to School Project as Part of Massachusetts 250 Celebration to Spotlight Connections Between Students and Farmers in Massachusetts
06/26/2026		PRESS RELEASE Governor Healey Signs Legislation to Improve Early Literacy Instruction in Massachusetts
06/26/2026		Student Assessment Update June 26, 2026 Special Edition
06/24/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces No-Cost Civics Education Training for Massachusetts Educators
06/23/2026		Student Assessment Update June 23, 2026
06/18/2026		Student Assessment Update June 18, 2026 Special Edition
06/18/2026		School Year (SY) 2026-2027 Annual Renewal of Student Eligibility Information
06/17/2026		PRESS RELEASE Governor Healey Releases Final Recommendations to Modernize High School Graduation Requirements
06/15/2026		Public input opportunities to provide feedback on the Model SRO MOU
06/11/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Hosts Statewide Civics Project Showcases
06/09/2026		Student Assessment Update June 9, 2026
06/08/2026		Student Assessment Update June 8, 2026 Special Edition
06/08/2026		Non-Degree Eligible Graduate Credits and License Renewal
06/05/2026		June 2026 STEM Newsletter
06/04/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces School Meals Terrific Tray Winner
06/04/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches Early Literacy Tutoring Application and BOOST Pilot for Next School Year
06/03/2026		Register for DESE's Celebrate the Arts Conference
06/03/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Historic Early College Expansion, Creating Nearly 1,700 Additional Seats for High School Students
06/02/2026		FY26 Title I Data Collection in GEM$
05/28/2026		PRESS RELEASE Governor Healey Issues Statewide Guidance for Schools, Child Care Providers, Higher Ed Campuses, Health Care Facilities and Places of Worship on Interacting with ICE
05/27/2026		School Meals Communication Plan for School Year 2026-2027
05/27/2026		Student Assessment Update May 27, 2026
05/21/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Expands Innovation Career Pathways to 10 New High Schools
05/21/2026		Notification to the Community on the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
05/19/2026		MCAS-Alt Update May 2026
05/18/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $535,000 in Summer Child Nutrition Grants
05/12/2026		Student Assessment Update May 12, 2026
05/11/2026		May 2026 STEM Newsletter
05/07/2026		PRESS RELEASE 100 School Districts Attend Showcase about MyCAP Planning Process
05/06/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Recognizes Award-Winning Educators at Statewide Celebration
05/04/2026		New Alternative Licensure Pathway: Communication and Literacy Skills Waiver
05/04/2026		Important notice regarding approved alternative assessments: Massachusetts will no longer accept CASA, MoGEA and WEST-B tests taken after June 29th testing window as alternatives to the Communication and Literacy Skills MTEL
04/30/2026		PRESS RELEASE Governor Healey Announces $70 Million to Expand Career Technical Education at 28 Schools, Add 2,500 Seats
04/30/2026		Special EL Assessment Update: April 2026
04/29/2026		Student Assessment Update April 29, 2026
04/29/2026		Alternative Licensure Pathway: Standards of the Comm. & Lit. Skills MTEL
04/29/2026		Alternative Licensure Frequently Asked Questions: Alternative Licensure Pathway to Waiving the Communications & Literacy Skills Test
04/27/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $250,000 in Early Childhood Special Education Grants
04/22/2026		OASES 2026-2027 Monitoring Review Training- Collaborative Programs Cohort 1
04/22/2026		OASES 2026-2027 Monitoring Review Training- Approved Special Ed. Programs Cohort 1
04/22/2026		OASES 2026-2027 Monitoring Review Training- Collaborative Programs Cohort 2
04/22/2026		OASES 2026-2027 Monitoring Review Training- Approved Special Ed. Programs Cohort 3
04/22/2026		OASES 2026-2027 Monitoring Review Training- Approved Special Ed. Programs Cohort 2
04/21/2026		Important Update Regarding Upcoming Changes to the MTELs for German and Russian
04/21/2026		2026 Summer PD Provider Application
04/15/2026		Sharing for Success Dissemination Fair Registration
04/15/2026		PRESS RELEASE Governor Healey Provides Guidance to Schools to Investigate Deepfake Images and Videos to Protect Students
04/14/2026		PRESS RELEASE Secretary of Education Stephen Zrike Highlights Universal Pre-k, Evidence-Based Early Literacy Instruction in Pittsfield During 413 Day
04/14/2026		PRESS RELEASE Secretary of Education Stephen Zrike Highlights Affordable Career-Connected Learning Opportunities in Western MA During 413 Day
04/10/2026		PRESS RELEASE Massachusetts State House Welcomes More Than 200 Students for 79th Annual Student Government Day
04/10/2026		OASES 2026-2027 Monitoring Review Training- Collaborative Programs Cohort 3
04/07/2026		EL Assessment Update: April 2026
04/07/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Seeks Innovative Ideas to Strengthen Student and Educator Mental Health
04/07/2026		Schools With No Breakfast After the Bell Model Listed in the Site Application
04/07/2026		Student Assessment Update April 7, 2026
04/03/2026		April 2026 STEM Newsletter
04/01/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards More Than $4 Million in PRISM III Literacy Grants
03/31/2026		National School Lunch Program Lunch Service for Scheduled Shortened School Days (Early Dismissal and Early Release Days)
03/31/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Opens Application for $15 Million in Capital Grants to Expand Career Technical Education
03/30/2026		OASES 2026-2027 Monitoring Review Training- Approved Special Ed. Programs Cohort 1
03/26/2026		Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Deadlines
03/26/2026		The Joint Questions and Answers Document for FY27 FC589 Civics Teaching and Learning Grant and FC215 Genocide Education Grant will be periodically updated through March 20, 2026.
03/26/2026		FY26 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Training Opportunities
03/26/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $1.7 Million in Teacher Apprenticeship Grants
03/25/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Literacy Launch Grant for Instructional Materials
03/24/2026		Student Assessment Update March 24, 2026
03/16/2026		Meal Service Operations Under the National School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program for Enrolled Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten Students
03/13/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Highlights Importance of School Breakfast in Supporting Student Food Security & Local Food Systems
03/13/2026		School Nurse Change — Modification to Orientation Program
03/11/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates Civic Learning Week, Highlights MA250 “Bold Stories, Bright Legacies” Student Initiative
03/10/2026		Student Assessment Update March 10, 2026
03/10/2026		Registration open for 3/24 Student-Led Civics Projects Local Showcases Office Hours
03/09/2026		March 2026 STEM Newsletter
03/09/2026		26-27 Integrated Monitoring Training for Principals and Special Education Directors
03/06/2026		EL Assessment Update: March 6, 2026
03/05/2026		Notice of Public Comment for 603 CMR 57.00
03/05/2026		Notice of Public Comment for 603 CMR 28.00
03/03/2026		Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program School Year 2026-2027
03/03/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Highlights Importance of Child Nutrition During Massachusetts School Breakfast Week
03/03/2026		PRESS RELEASE Massachusetts Students Again Rank #1 in Nation on AP Tests, Earn Highest Scores on Record
03/02/2026		February 2026 STEM Newsletter
02/26/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Expands Early Literacy Training for Educators through Additional Literacy Launch Institutes
02/24/2026		Student Assessment Update February 24, 2026
02/17/2026		Registration for Student Government Day has been extended to 3/2/26 - Register Now!
02/12/2026		EL Assessment Update: February 2026
02/12/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Seeks Public Feedback on Implementation of High School Graduation Requirements
02/10/2026		MCAS-Alt Update February 2026
02/06/2026		Student Assessment Update February 6, 2026
02/06/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $3.6 Million to Support Implementation of Revised Time-Out Regulations
02/05/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates $1.2 Million in Grants that Expand Access to Healthy, Local Food in Schools and Child Care Centers
02/04/2026		PRESS RELEASE East Boston History Teacher Receives $25,000 Milken Educator Award
01/30/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Recruits More Organizations to Serve as Summer Eats Meal Sponsors
01/29/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $8.2 Million to Expand Early College Programs Across Massachusetts
01/29/2026		PRESS RELEASE Secretary Tutwiler Delivers Massachusetts 2026 State of Education Address
01/28/2026		Student Assessment Update January 26, 2026 Special Edition
01/28/2026		Student Assessment Update January 21, 2026
01/22/2026		PRESS RELEASE Governor Healey Sets Goal of Enrolling 100,000 Early College Students by 2036
01/22/2026		Now Open: Civics Teaching and Learning Grant application! Submit a proposal by March 30, 2026!
01/22/2026		Seeking Applications for the Genocide Education Grant! Submit a proposal by March 30, 2026!
01/21/2026		PRESS RELEASE Massachusetts Publishes FAFSA Completion Dashboard to Encourage Students to Apply for Financial Aid
01/21/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces No-Cost Early Literacy Tutoring for 84 More Elementary Schools
01/20/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Honors 63 Schools of Recognition
01/15/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Grants to Support Playful Learning in Preschool through Third Grade
01/13/2026		PRESS RELEASE Massachusetts Wins $10 Million Federal Grant for Early Literacy Tutoring
01/13/2026		January 2026 STEM Newsletter
01/08/2026		Student Assessment Update January 8, 2026
01/07/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $3.2 Million to Support Students’ Behavioral and Mental Health
01/06/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $2.3 Million in K-12 Language Learning Program Grants
01/05/2026		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Grants for Career and Technical Education in Correctional Facilities
2025
12/23/2025		Registration for the 2026 Massachusetts Civics Project Showcases is now open! Priority deadline is February 13 and registration closes March 13.
12/15/2025		MCAS-Alt Update January 2026
12/15/2025		PRESS RELEASE Number of Massachusetts Students Succeeding on AP Exams Continues to Grow
12/15/2025		December 2025 STEM Newsletter
12/10/2025		Notice of Intent to Apply and Opportunity for Comment Regarding a Waiver Extension of the Federal Requirement Related to the Percentage of Students Who Participate in Statewide Alternate Assessments
12/10/2025		Student Assessment Update December 10, 2025
12/10/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $1.2 Million to Expand Children’s Access to and Knowledge of Locally Grown Food
12/08/2025		Advance Payments for Family Day Care Homes Sponsoring Organizations
12/02/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces 2026 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year
12/01/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Releases Statewide High School Graduation Framework
11/26/2025		Share your feedback! Public Comment for Regulatory Updates to Licensure Pathways
11/25/2025		Student Assessment Update November 25, 2025
11/24/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Invests $4.1 Million for No-cost Workforce Training and Education
11/21/2025		Notice of Public Comment for 603 CMR 7.00, Educator Licensure and Preparation Program Approval Regulations
11/20/2025		PRESS RELEASE More than 1 in 4 Massachusetts High School Students Participated in a College and Career Pathway During School Year 24-25
11/19/2025		EL Assessment Update: WIDA ACCESS – Test Preparation, November 19, 2025
11/19/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Education Officials Issue Statements Condemning Further Dismantling of U.S. Department of Education
11/18/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Proposes New Pathways to Educator Licensure
11/17/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Expands Early Literacy Training for Educators through Literacy Launch Institutes
11/13/2025		Student Assessment Update November 13, 2025
11/13/2025		November 2025 STEM Newsletter
11/13/2025		MCAS-Alt Winter Update 25-26
11/10/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Highlights Importance of School Breakfast
11/07/2025		Food Service Management Company Contracting Procedures FY 2026
11/05/2025		Notice of Public Comment for 603 CMR 31.04, State Seal of Biliteracy (603 CMR 31.00, Certificate of Mastery and State Seal of Biliteracy)
11/05/2025		Notice of Public Comment for 603 CMR 23.02, Regulations on Student Records (definitions)
11/04/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards over $1 Million in Hate Crime Prevention Grants to 38 School Districts
11/03/2025		PSM Group B - Integrated Monitoring Training
11/03/2025		PSM Group A - Integrated Monitoring Training
10/30/2025		Northeast Food for Schools Challenge
10/28/2025		Student Assessment Update October 28, 2025
10/28/2025		Public Comment is open for Proposed Amendments to Regulations on State Seal of Biliteracy, 603 CMR 31.04.
10/24/2025		Public Comment on new Media Arts Endorsement Guidelines
10/23/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $8.5 Million in Career-Connected Learning Grants Across 120 School Districts and Communities
10/23/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Opens Application for Schools to Apply for Funding to Promote Safe and More Supportive Learning Environments
10/21/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Nearly $5.4 Million for Innovation Career Pathways Programs
10/20/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $13.5 Million in Skills Capital Grants as STEM Week 2025 Begins
10/16/2025		PRESS RELEASE STEM Starts Now: Healey-Driscoll Administration Kicks Off Massachusetts 2025 STEM Week, Oct. 20-24
10/15/2025		Registration is now OPEN!
10/15/2025		Student Assessment Update October 15, 2025
10/15/2025		Registration for Student Government Day is now OPEN!
10/15/2025		Registration for Student Government Day is now OPEN!
10/15/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Sounds Alarm Over Donald Trump’s Firing of 500 U.S. Department of Education Staff
10/09/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Public Hearings to Review Statewide K-12 School Finance Formula
10/06/2025		Application for FY26 Public School Military Mitigation funds
10/06/2025		Save the Date!
10/06/2025		Public Comment on Revised SMK Guidelines
10/06/2025		EL Assessment Update: Back-to-School October 6, 2025
10/03/2025		October 2025 STEM Newsletter
10/03/2025		Save the Date!
10/03/2025		Student Assessment Update October 3, 2025
09/30/2025		Updates to the Buy American Provision
09/29/2025		PRESS RELEASE 2025 MCAS Results Underscore Importance of Focus on Early Literacy, Chronic Absenteeism
09/26/2025		Student Assessment Update September 26, 2025 Special Edition
09/26/2025		PRESS RELEASE New AI Curriculum Pilot to Reach 1,600 Massachusetts Students Across 30 School Districts
09/25/2025		National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program — Final Rule
09/25/2025		Upcoming Webinars and Office Hours for Technical Assistance on New CTE Regulations
09/25/2025		Updates to the Afterschool Snack Meal Pattern — Final Rule
09/25/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $161,918 in Grants to Support Safe and Supportive Schools
09/24/2025		Student Assessment Update September 24, 2025 Special Edition
09/24/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Releases Vision of a Massachusetts High School Graduate
09/23/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Over $464,000 in STEM Education Grants
09/23/2025		PRESS RELEASE Governor Healey and Attorney General Campbell Issue Joint Guidance Affirming Commitment to Equal Access to Education
09/22/2025		Student Assessment Update September 22, 2025 Special Edition
09/22/2025		PRESS RELEASE Governor Healey Appoints New Member to Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
09/19/2025		MCAS-Alt Back-to-School Update September 2025
09/18/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Two New Early College Partnerships in Springfield
09/17/2025		Student Assessment Update September 17, 2025
09/17/2025		FY26 Applications for Renewal of Virtual School Certificates
09/17/2025		FY26 Arts Grant Funding Opportunity
09/16/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $9 Million in Literacy Launch Grants
09/09/2025		FY26 Applications for Renewal of Charters
09/09/2025		Charter Amendment Request Pending Board Action
09/09/2025		Charter Amendment Request Pending Board Action (Grade Span)
09/09/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $800,000 in Early Literacy Grants for College and K-12 School Partnerships
09/08/2025		PRESS RELEASE New Department of Elementary and Secondary Data Shows Early College is Steering More Students Towards Higher Education
09/05/2025		September 2025 STEM Newsletter
09/05/2025		September 4, 2025 DESE Webinar on CTE Regulation requirement updates for Middle Schools and CTE Schools/programs Video
09/05/2025		September 4, 2025 DESE Webinar on CTE Regulation requirement updates for Middle Schools and CTE Schools/programs Slides
09/04/2025		Student Assessment Update September 4, 2025 Special Edition
09/04/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Nearly $3 Million in Adult Education and Workforce Training Grants
09/03/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Opens Application for $60 Million in Career Technical Education Capital Funding for Schools
09/02/2025		Student Assessment Update September 2, 2025
09/02/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates Launch of No-Cost Early Literacy Tutoring for 272 Elementary Schools
08/26/2025		Student Assessment Update August 26, 2025 Special Edition
08/22/2025		Exploring Edwin
08/21/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $20 Million to 30 School Districts for Affordable Preschool Access
08/20/2025		FY26 Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Available Training and Resources
08/19/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $9.3 Million in Second Round of Literacy Launch Grants
08/19/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Expands Career Technical Education to Support 900 More Students This School Year
08/11/2025		Registration and ePortfolio for updated version of PAL opens August 26, 2025
08/06/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $3.3 Million in Literacy Grants
08/06/2025		Educational Stability Orientation Sessions 2025-2026
08/05/2025		Student Assessment Update August 5, 2025 Special Edition
08/05/2025		FY26 Perkins Grant Now Available in GEM$
08/05/2025		FY26 ESSA Grant Application Now Available in GEM$
08/04/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces No-Cost Early Literacy Tutoring for 272 Elementary Schools
08/01/2025		FY26 IDEA Grant Application Now Available in GEM$
07/31/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Releases Recommendations to Improve Health and Nutrition in K-12 School Meals
07/22/2025		PRESS RELEASE Massachusetts Ranked Best Public Schools in the Country
07/17/2025		Public Virtual Schools Enrollment Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the 2025-26 School Year
07/16/2025		PRESS RELEASE Massachusetts Receives Highest Rating for Special Education for Seventh Consecutive Year
07/16/2025		Upcoming Charter School Deadlines
07/15/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates $10 Million Investment in Workforce Training for English Learners
07/14/2025		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Nearly $1 Million in Civics Teaching and Learning Grants
07/14/2025		PRESS RELEASE AG Campbell Sues Trump Administration For Freezing $6.8 Billion In Education Grants Just Weeks Before School Year Starts
07/11/2025		July 2025 STEM Newsletter
07/08/2025		Student Assessment Update July 8, 2025 Special Edition
07/08/2025		PRESS RELEASE 8.3 Million More School Meals Being Served in Massachusetts
07/07/2025		PRESS RELEASE Trump Administration Withholds $108 Million in K-12 Funding for Massachusetts Schools
07/01/2025		New DLCS Curriculum Guide released
DESE Latest Updates