DESE News Archives

DESE Updates Archive
2023
12/08/2023		Update to FY2024: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Part B (IDEA) Federal Targeted Special Education Program Improvement Grant Fund Code: 0274
12/07/2023		VOCAL webinar
12/07/2023		Office of Literacy and Humanities Newsletter: December 2023
12/05/2023		STEM December 2023 Newsletter
12/05/2023		Indicators for the 24-25 Integrated Monitoring Cohort
12/04/2023		Participation Guidelines for the 2024 High School Science Tests — December 4, 2023
12/01/2023		Hybrid Public Hearing Guidelines for All Attendees and Speakers, Virtual Speaker Signup, and Zoom Join Link
12/01/2023		FY2024 Grants Management November Update
12/01/2023		A First Look at Early Reading Performance in Massachusetts
11/28/2023		The Real Deal on Fentanyl: A campaign to educate young people on the dangers of fentanyl and the lifesaving effects of naloxone (from the Office of National Drug Control Policy, in partnership with the Ad Council).
11/28/2023		Student Assessment Update November 28, 2023
11/27/2023		New! Free MTEL Test Prep Course Available
11/27/2023		Investing in School Nutrition Programs
11/24/2023		Licensure Welcome Center closed between Monday, December 18th – Friday, December 29th
11/21/2023		EL Assessment Update: Preparation for Testing
11/21/2023		FY24/FY25 Genocide Education Grant Q&A
11/20/2023		MA Dyslexia Institute – Application Due 12/15/23
11/17/2023		New MTEL-Flexes for Mathematics (Middle School)(65) and Mathematics (Secondary)(63) coming soon
11/14/2023		School Behavioral Threat Assessments: An Introduction, a Train-the-Educator 4-hour Virtual Training, offered by REMS & DESE -Register for December 13 or 14, 2023
11/14/2023		Student Assessment Update November 14, 2023
11/13/2023		Parent's Notice of Procedural Safeguards to Special Education (also referred to as "Parents Rights")- linked resources have been updated in all languages. Additionally, Polish and Ukrainian versions now available.
11/13/2023		Update to FY2024: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Part B (IDEA) Federal Targeted Special Education Program Improvement Grant Fund Code: 0274
11/09/2023		Charter Amendment Requests Pending Board Action (Districts Specified in Charter Region, Grades Served, and a Charter Consolidation)
11/08/2023		Notice of Intent to Apply and Opportunity to Comment on the Department's Waiver Extension Request Related to the Percentage of Students Who Participate in the MCAS Alternate Assessment
11/08/2023		2023-2024 Networking & Professional Development Series for Elementary School Principals and Early Childhood Coordinators
11/07/2023		Office of Literacy and Humanities Newsletter: November 2023
11/07/2023		Comments Sought on Proposed Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual School, Public Hearing Scheduled
11/06/2023		STEM November 2023 Newsletter
11/03/2023		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces 2024 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year
10/31/2023		Mass Literacy Online Overview Course now available — free!
10/31/2023		Student Assessment Update October 31, 2023
10/30/2023		OLA Leadership Network Meetings
10/27/2023		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $570,000 Grant Opportunity for Nutritious Food Access and Education During Farm to School Month
10/27/2023		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $570,000 Grant Opportunity for Nutritious Food Access and Education During Farm to School Month
10/24/2023		MA Literacy Institute FC 583-2 questions and responses
10/24/2023		Student Assessment Update October 24, 2023, Special Edition
10/24/2023		FY2024 Grants Management October Update
10/24/2023		Food Service Management Company (FSMC) Request for Proposal (RFP)/Contract and Renewal Template
10/23/2023		FY2024: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Part B (IDEA) Federal Targeted Special Education Program Improvement Grant Fund Code: 0274- Now available in GEM$
10/23/2023		FY2024: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Part B (IDEA) Federal Targeted Special Education Program Improvement Grant Fund Code: 0274
10/19/2023		September Curriculum Directors Newsletter
10/17/2023		Student Assessment Update October 17, 2023
10/16/2023		Registration is now open for the DESE Civics Pathways - Free Civics PD by MA teachers for MA Teachers. Register and learn!
10/13/2023		Massachusetts Bomb Threat Response Guidance
10/13/2023		Please visit the IEP Improvement webpage! Additional resources related to the updated IEP form and Training of Trainers session have been posted.
10/13/2023		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches Education-to-Career Research and Data Hub
10/12/2023		Office of Literacy and Humanities Newsletter: October 2023
10/05/2023		DESE Anticipates in Fiscal Year 2024-2025 (FY2025) a Combined Afterschool and Out-of-School Time (ASOST) & Summer Development & Expansion Grant Opportunity — State Funds (FY2025 & Beyond)
10/04/2023		October 1 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Data Collection Report
10/04/2023		The Department seeks a vendor to provide teacher preparation and in-service professional development (PD) to increase the number of MA educators licensed as teachers of Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing — American Sign Language/Total Communication.
10/04/2023		October 2023 STEM Newsletter
10/03/2023		Student Assessment Update October 3, 2023
09/28/2023		Application for FY24 Public School Military Mitigation funds
09/26/2023		Enrolling and Supporting Newcomer Students in Massachusetts Schools & Districts Frequently Asked Questions
09/26/2023		Parent New IEP Form Information Letter template, in sixteen languages, now available for School use
09/25/2023		National School Lunch Program Administrative Review and Procurement Review- School Year 2023-2024
09/22/2023		PRESS RELESE Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Planning Grants to 31 High Schools to Expand Innovation Career Pathways, 6 High Schools Preparing Brand New Clean Energy Pilot
09/20/2023		FY2024 Grants Management September Update
09/19/2023		PRESS RELEASE New Comprehensive Health and Physical Education Framework Receives Unanimous Approval
09/19/2023		PRESS RELEASE 2023 MCAS Scores Show Progress in Math and ELA Academic Recovery
09/19/2023		Student Assessment Update September 19, 2023
09/18/2023		PRESS RELEASE Massachusetts Celebrates Adult Education and Family Literacy Week
09/18/2023		Deadline to Apply and Obtain an Emergency License
09/15/2023		The Department is reissuing the former "Draft Process Guide" and repurposing the document to serve as a "Technical Guide." As the name implies, this document will cover the technical changes to the IEP Form. This tool should be considered alongside other
09/14/2023		Student Assessment Update September 14, 2023, Special Edition
09/14/2023		Accessibility and Accommodations Manual for the 2023–2024 MCAS
09/13/2023		Online Toolkit: Partnering to Safeguard K12 Organizations from Cybersecurity Threats
09/12/2023		EL Assessment Update: Important Back-to-School ACCESS for ELLs Information
09/12/2023		IEP 2023 Business Requirements and IEP 2023 Preliminary Data Requirements Analysis update
09/11/2023		MCAS Pre-Administration Guide
09/11/2023		2023–24 Statewide Testing Schedule and Administration Deadlines
09/11/2023		2023 Fall Professional Development Provider Application Notification
09/08/2023		September 2023 STEM Newsletter
09/06/2023		OASES Collaborative - Cohort 3 CHAMP Training 2023
09/05/2023		Student Assessment Update, September 5, 2023
09/05/2023		FY24 Applications for Renewal of Charters
09/05/2023		OASES - Cohort 3 ASES CHAMP Training 2023
09/01/2023		Student Assessment Update September 1, 2023, Special Edition
08/30/2023		Registration Now Available for Fall MCAS Trainings
08/29/2023		Opportunity to Apply for MCAS Teacher Committees
08/29/2023		Important Notice about the General Curriculum MTEL-Flex
08/29/2023		Edwin is changing!
08/29/2023		2023 Assessment and Accountability Reporting Schedule
08/29/2023		Responses to MA Literacy Institute Grant, FC 583 Questions
08/28/2023		Public Comment Extended on Draft Comprehensive Health and Physical Education Framework
08/21/2023		MTEL Update: Impact of the General Curriculum Multi-Subject Subtest and the General Curriculum Mathematics Subtest no Longer Being Offered
08/17/2023		August 2023 STEM Newsletter
08/15/2023		Enrolling and Supporting Newcomer Students FAQ Updated August 15, 2023
08/08/2023		USDA Foods — Availability Update, Brown Box, FCFS, DoD Funds, Processing Pounds, Warehouse Contracts, & Assessment Fees
08/02/2023		Draft IEP Process Guide Stakeholder Feedback Survey
07/31/2023		Update to the eligibility for the English as a Second Language (54) MTEL-Flex and the Spanish (28) MTEL-Flex
07/31/2023		School Year (SY) 2023-2024 Special Milk Program (SMP) Application Renewal and Massachusetts Special Milk Household Application Packet Now Available
07/28/2023		Educational Stability Orientation Sessions 2023-24
07/25/2023		Student Assessment Update July 25, 2023, Special Edition
07/20/2023		FY2024 Grants Management July Update
07/19/2023		Student Opportunity Act Dashboard: Charter Schools
07/19/2023		Student Assessment Update July 19, 2023, Special Edition
07/17/2023		Release of Spring 2023 Science and Technology/Engineering MCAS Items
07/17/2023		Indicators 11, 12, and 13 Data Display Webinar: This webinar is for all LEAs who collected Indicator 11-13 data during the 2021-2022 school year. You can find your LEA Data Display in your district Special Education Performance Plan Dropbox.
07/14/2023		July 2023 STEM Newsletter
07/13/2023		Applications for New Licenses & Requirements are Available
07/12/2023		Updated 2023–24 MCAS and ACCESS for ELLs Testing Schedule (Updates to Grade 10 Math and MCAS-Alt Dates)
07/07/2023		Office of Literacy and Humanities Newsletter: July 2023
07/07/2023		Public Comment Sought on Draft Comprehensive Health and Physical Education Framework
06/30/2023		Civics Project Artifact Library
06/30/2023		School Year 2023-2024 Massachusetts Meal Benefit Household Application Packet Now Available
06/29/2023		Excess and Deficiency (E&D) above Five Percent of a Regional School District's total budget
06/28/2023		Notice of Public Comment for the Student Discipline Regulations, 603 CMR 53.00
06/28/2023		PRESS RELEASE Draft Health and Physical Education Framework Goes Out for Public Comment
06/27/2023		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Appoints Educator and Multicultural Education Expert to Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
06/23/2023		FY2023 Grants Management June Update
06/21/2023		Release of Spring 2023 Mathematics MCAS Items
06/21/2023		Student Assessment Update June 21, 2023
06/21/2023		Release of Spring 2023 English Language Arts MCAS Items
06/21/2023		How to apply for FY24 Competitive Federal Grants 181 and 189
06/21/2023		Initial Identification of ELs and FELs: A Deep Dive
06/21/2023		English Language Education (ELE) Policy Update Webinar
06/16/2023		Public Comment Request
06/16/2023		Special Education Policy Memo SY2023-2024 — 1 Clarification: Conditions of Assistance submission
06/15/2023		Investigating History curriculum now available
06/15/2023		New guidance and resources available to support required early literacy screening
06/15/2023		Final FY23 Charter School Tuition and Enrollment
06/14/2023		EL Assessment Update: End of Year Reminders
06/14/2023		Student Assessment Update June 14, 2023, Special Edition
06/12/2023		Center for Instructional Support Program Offerings 2023-24
06/08/2023		Medical Behavioral Health Emergency Response Model Plan now available (along with submission information)
06/07/2023		Office of Literacy and Humanities Newsletter: June 2023
06/07/2023		June 2023 STEM Newsletter
06/07/2023		Special Education Policy Memo SY2023-2024 Requirements for the 2023-2024 Conditions of Assistance: IDEA Part B Funding (formerly SEPPS)- policy memo provides forms (Individual District or Regional District) and gives guidance as to their use and submission
06/06/2023		FY24 Early Literacy and Mathematic High Dosage Tutoring Programs
06/06/2023		Student Assessment Update June 6, 2023
06/05/2023		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $300K for Nutrition Learning Opportunities
05/25/2023		CHAMP Overview Session
05/24/2023		Next Generation ESL Project Webinar
05/24/2023		Public Comment Requested: Office of Educator Licensure Competency Review Guide
05/24/2023		DESE providing PD and TA for schools and districts to support the adoption of the new IEP forms.
05/24/2023		Student Assessment Update May 24, 2023
05/18/2023		General Curriculum and Middle School Humanities MTEL Release and Score Report Information
05/18/2023		Important Notice Regarding Changes to the General Curriculum MTEL
05/15/2023		Department of Elementary and Secondary Education advises schools and districts in the Commonwealth to continue concerted efforts to reduce or eliminate the use of time-out rooms.
05/11/2023		EL Assessment Update: Release of ACCESS for ELLs Test Results
05/10/2023		Student Assessment Update May 10, 2023
05/09/2023		Office of Literacy and Humanities Newsletter: May 2023
05/05/2023		Emergency License Availability — End Date Announced
05/05/2023		STEM Newsletter: May 2023
05/04/2023		Grade 10 ELA Early Release MCAS Data Now Available (See item 1 in the "For High Schools" section.)
05/03/2023		Student Assessment Update May 3, 2023, Special Edition
05/02/2023		FY2023 Multi-Year Delegation
05/02/2023		Multi-Year FAQ and How To
05/02/2023		Initial Release of the 2023–24 MCAS and ACCESS for ELLs Testing Schedule
05/02/2023		OASES Collaborative CHAMP Training - COHORT 2
05/02/2023		CHAMP Collaborative Launch Party
05/02/2023		Request for Public Comment: Proposed Amendments to 603 CMR 7.00, Educator Licensure and Preparation Program Approval Regulations
05/02/2023		Learning Ally Audiobook accounts have access to audiobooks now and over the summer
04/28/2023		Student Assessment Update April 28, 2023
04/27/2023		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Clean Energy Innovation Career Pathway for High School Students
04/26/2023		Notice of Public Comment for 603 CMR 7.00, Educator Licensure and Preparation Program Approval Regulations
04/26/2023		Special Education Update Concerning Master Vendor RFR
04/25/2023		Prior Approvals and Notifications in CHAMP
04/25/2023		Cohort 2 - OASES CHAMP Training
04/25/2023		Questions and Answers for 2023 SFSP Operational Guidance: Non-congregate meal service in rural sites
04/24/2023		Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual School Application Now Available
04/21/2023		Innovation Career Pathways Prospective Applicant Webinar
04/21/2023		FY2023 Grants Management April Update
04/20/2023		Projected FY24 Charter School Tuition and Enrollment
04/20/2023		Reminder: Final submission date for the History (06) MTEL-Flex is May 25, 2023 before the transition to the History/Social Science (73) MTEL-Flex.
04/19/2023		Save the Date: GEM$ Statewide Training
04/14/2023		Office of Literacy and Humanities Newsletter: April 2023
04/13/2023		PRESS RELEASE Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards New Innovation Career Pathways to 27 High School Across the Commonwealth
04/12/2023		Student Assessment Update April 12, 2023, Special Edition
04/11/2023		Release of March 2023 MCAS Retest Information
04/11/2023		Release of February 2023 MCAS Biology and Introductory Physics Tests Information
04/11/2023		Student Assessment Update April 11, 2023
04/10/2023		Food Service Management Company Contract Renewal Procedures
04/07/2023		STEM Newsletter: April 2023
04/07/2023		Early College Designation Information Session 2023-2024
04/06/2023		2023-2024 CMVS Pre-Enrollment Data Submission Memorandum and Instructions
04/06/2023		Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment (CLNA) Webinars offered in May, June, and July
04/05/2023		PRESS RELEASE Dighton Educator Receives National $25,000 Milken Award
04/05/2023		PRESS RELEASE Massachusetts Students Again Lead Nation in Advanced Placement Success
03/31/2023		Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Deadlines
03/30/2023		2023-2024 Charter School Pre-Enrollment Report
03/29/2023		Student Assessment Update March 29, 2023
03/24/2023		Notice of Public Comment on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Annual State Application. The deadline for submission of public comment is April 24, 2023.
03/24/2023		DESE's Special Education team is proud to announce the release of a newly updated IEP form. It is expected that schools and districts will begin using the new forms between fall 2023 and fall 2024.
03/23/2023		FY2023 Grants Management March Update
03/22/2023		Seeking Public Comment on Bilingual Education Guidelines
03/22/2023		Charter School SOA Progress Report Collection — Due August 1
03/20/2023		PRESS RELEASE The Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Nine New Early College Programs Across the Commonwealth
03/17/2023		Extensions for "Old" Emergency Licenses
03/17/2023		Preliminary FY23 Charter School Tuition and Enrollment
03/15/2023		Provision 2 Base Year Validation
03/14/2023		Student Assessment Update March 14, 2023
03/08/2023		EL Assessment Update: ACCESS for ELLs Important Post-testing Reminders
03/08/2023		Prior Approvals and Notifications for CHAMP Pilots
03/08/2023		Projected FY24 Charter School Tuition and Enrollment
03/08/2023		Teachers' Top 3 for Winter 2023: Science Courses, Civics Leadership, Ed Prep
03/03/2023		STEM Newsletter: March 2023
03/03/2023		Office of Literacy and Humanities Newsletter: March 2023
03/02/2023		Rethinking Discipline Professional Development: Alternatives to Exclusionary Practices Modules — Spring 2023
03/02/2023		Emergency Extension Application Update
02/28/2023		FY2023 Grants Management February Update
02/28/2023		Student Assessment Update February 28, 2023
02/23/2023		Important notice about the History MTEL-Flex
02/23/2023		DEA Laboratory Testing Reveals that 6 out of 10 Fentanyl-Laced Fake Prescription Pills Now Contain a Lethal Dose of Fentanyl
02/22/2023		Winter/Spring 2023 Civics Project Virtual Support Forum Schedule
02/22/2023		Chapter 74 Nonresident Student Tuition Program Webinar
02/22/2023		Guidance on Updated Expectations for School and District Leaders Related to Student Discipline
02/22/2023		Office of Literacy and Humanities Newsletter: February 2023
02/17/2023		OASES - Cohort 1 Roster Training
02/16/2023		FY2024 Pre-Enrollment, Sibling Pre-Enrollment, and Waitlist Data Submission Memorandum and Instructions
02/16/2023		Cohort 1 - CHAMP Training
02/14/2023		FY2024 Pre-Enroll NSS Cap Guidance for Districts
02/10/2023		Northeast Food for Schools Funding Opportunity
02/10/2023		Register for the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) annual conference: Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Visions of Collaboration Conference on March 24, 2023.
02/10/2023		Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) Annual Pre-ETS Vision of Collaboration Conference
02/09/2023		Release of November 2022 Retest Information
02/09/2023		PRESS RELEASE Massachusetts to Cover Cost of Residents' GED® and HiSET® Tests
02/08/2023		2023 Spring Professional Development (PD) Provider Registry
02/08/2023		Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) report, Partnering to Safeguard K-12 Organizations from Cybersecurity Threats
02/08/2023		Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Partnering to Safeguard K-12 Toolkit
02/07/2023		Student Assessment Update February 7, 2023
02/07/2023		School Year 2023-2024 USDA Foods Ordering & Commitment Forms
02/03/2023		2022-2023 Early Childhood and Elementary Principals Networking and Professional Development Series
02/03/2023		STEM Newsletter: February 2023
01/31/2023		PRESS RELEASE Massachusetts Prepares for Summer Eats Meals Program
01/30/2023		FY2023 Grants Management January Update
01/27/2023		2023 Claim Form Reporting
01/27/2023		School Behavioral Threat Assessments: An Introduction for Educators K-12. Wednesday, February 15th or Thursday, February 16th, 2023. See flyer for details and registration.
01/25/2023		Student Assessment Update January 25, 2023
01/25/2023		Spring 2023 MCAS Test Administration Manuals
01/25/2023		February 2023 MCAS Test Administration Manuals
01/24/2023		Paulo Freire Social Justice Charter School (PFSJCS) Enrollment Transition Options
01/23/2023		New MTEL-Flex for General Science (64) coming soon
01/20/2023		Emergency Licenses
01/19/2023		Student Assessment Update January 19, 2023, Special Edition
01/19/2023		Spring 2023 MCAS Manuals
01/19/2023		WIDA Considerations when Educating Multilingual Learners with Identified Learning Disabilities
01/13/2023		EL Assessment Update: ACCESS for ELLs Important Reminders
01/13/2023		Save the date. Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) will host their annual conference: Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Visions of Collaboration Conference on March 24, 2023.
01/12/2023		FC203 Appleseeds Implementation Grant: Questions and Answers
01/12/2023		FC730 Accelerating Literacy Learning through HQIM Questions and Answers
01/12/2023		School Meal Access for Early College Learners
01/12/2023		Student Assessment Update January 12, 2023
01/10/2023		Office of Literacy and Humanities Newsletter: January 2023
01/06/2023		STEM Newsletter: January 2023
01/05/2023		LEA Assignment Quick Reference Guide updated
01/03/2023		Preliminary Charter School FY23 Tuition and Enrollment
2022
12/23/2022		Teachers' Top 3 for November/December 2022: Art Teacher Mentoring, Supporting Immigrant Students, Draft Classroom Teacher Rubric
12/22/2022		Notice of Public Comment on the Proposed Amendments to 603 CMR 52.00, Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual Schools
12/22/2022		12/22/2022 UPDATE: Choking Prevention Policy: Nutrition for Young Children (Under the age of four)
12/20/2022		PRESS RELEASE Baker-Polito Administration Announces $250 Million for Adult Education Services Over the Next Five Years, with $50 Million Awarded This Year
12/20/2022		FY2023 Grants Management December Update
12/16/2022		Special Education Accountability and Assistance Webinar
12/16/2022		Emergency License Validity Extension 2023-2024
12/14/2022		Student Assessment Update December 14, 2022
12/12/2022		Developing Emergency Operation Plans (EOPs) K-12 101 Train the Trainer Wednesday, January 25 or Thursday, January 26, 2023. See flyer for details and registration link.
DESE Latest Updates