DESE News Archives

DESE Updates Archive
2023
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
03/17/2023		Extensions for "Old" Emergency Licenses
03/17/2023		Preliminary FY23 Charter School Tuition and Enrollment
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
02/08/2023		Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Massachusetts Schools with at least 50% of Student Enrollment Eligible for Free or Reduced-Price Meals in Child Nutrition Programs
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		Supply Chain Assistance (SCA) Funds — Round 2 Questions and Answers
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
01/09/2023		FY23 Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Winter Training Opportunities (January–April 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		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.
12/09/2022		Scaffolding Learning through Language: WIDA Webinar Series
12/09/2022		STEM Newsletter: December 2022
12/08/2022		Genocide Education Virtual Professional Learning Series
12/08/2022		Office of Literacy and Humanities Newsletter: December 2022
12/08/2022		Playful Learning Institute, Preschool through 3rd Grade
12/07/2022		Survey on how collecting parental consent to bill Medicaid impacts school districts
12/01/2022		Early Literacy Screening, Regulation 603 CMR 28.03(1)(f) — Effective July 1, 2023
12/01/2022		Student Assessment Update December 1, 2022
11/30/2022		2022–23 Statewide Testing Schedule and Administration Deadlines for MCAS, MCAS-Alt, MCAS/EPP, and ACCESS for ELLs
11/29/2022		FY2023 Grants Management November Update
11/28/2022		FY22 Update - Charter School End of Year Financial Report (CSEOYFR) Amendment Application
11/22/2022		University of Massachusetts Boston, Vision Studies Graduate Program Webinar. Learn about the Vision Studies MEd program, graduate certificate programs, and career opportunities in Vison Education and Rehabilitation.
11/21/2022		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
11/18/2022		Questions and Answers for HQIM Implementation Grant
11/18/2022		Elementary Principals 2022-2023 Professional Development Series
11/17/2022		Comments Sought on Proposed Charter School, Public Hearing Scheduled
11/16/2022		Student Assessment Update November 16, 2022
11/16/2022		Early Childhood and History/Social Science MTEL Release and Score Report Information
11/10/2022		STEM Newsletter: November 2022
11/10/2022		EL Assessment Update: ACCESS for ELLs Preparation
11/09/2022		FY2024 Charter School Pre-Enrollment Estimate Guidance
11/09/2022		MA DESE Indicator 12 Regional Meetings
11/08/2022		Notice of Public Comment on the Proposed Amendments to 603 CMR 7.00, Educator Licensure and Preparation Program Approval Regulations
11/07/2022		CACFP Policy: Prorated Site Monitoring Schedule for Sponsoring Organizations
11/07/2022		Office of Literacy and Humanities Newsletter: November 2022
11/04/2022		We are interested in getting public comment on Proposed Amendments to the Regulations for Educator Licensure and Preparation Program Approval, please see public comment link.
11/04/2022		FY2023 Grants Management October Update
11/04/2022		DESE/FCSN/Parent Meeting
11/02/2022		Student Assessment Update November 2, 2022
10/31/2022		Teachers' Top 3 for September/October 2022: Support and PD, Apply for Sontag Prize, Offering Students a Choice
10/31/2022		Are you a new Director of Special Education? Participate with a cohort of your peers in the DESE-sponsored Leadership Institute 2022-2023. Apply online.
10/27/2022		World Language Leaders Network - 1/11/2023
10/26/2022		Regulatory Pilot Update: New Alternative Assessments Available with Specific Eligibility Requirements
10/24/2022		PRESS RELEASE Massachusetts Remains Top-Ranked State on the National Assessment of Educational Progress
10/21/2022		The Department in collaboration with state agencies that provide adult services to individuals with disabilities who reached age 22 between March 10, 2020, and September 1, 2023.
10/20/2022		CCTE Data Use - Equitable Access in CTE
10/19/2022		Attend the 2nd Information Session Webinar about the Implementation Grant, on November 1, 2022
10/19/2022		Attend the 1st Information Session Webinar about the Implementation Grant, on October 24, 2022
10/19/2022		Student Assessment Update October 19, 2022
10/18/2022		November Retest Manuals
10/17/2022		The High Quality Instructional Materials Implementation Grant (Fund Code 185)
10/14/2022		Enrolling and Supporting Newcomer Students in Massachusetts Schools & Districts Frequently Asked Questions
10/13/2022		Office of Literacy and Humanities Newsletter: October 2022
10/12/2022		Application for FY23 Public School Military Mitigation funds
10/12/2022		FSMC RFP Contract Template Training
10/11/2022		STEM Newsletter: October 2022
10/11/2022		Curriculum Alignment Lab 2 (Track 2)
10/11/2022		2023-2024 Group B Tiered Focused Monitoring Session
10/11/2022		WBMS Indicator Training for FFY22
10/11/2022		2023-2024 Group A Tiered Focused Monitoring Session
10/11/2022		New Director's WBMS Training
10/07/2022		PK-12 Welcome Letter
10/07/2022		Bilingual Education Leadership Network
10/06/2022		Updated MTEL Revisions and Timeline October 2022
10/04/2022		Student Assessment Update October 4, 2022
10/03/2022		FY2022 Audit and CSEOYFR Instructions Memo
09/29/2022		PRESS RELEASE Massachusetts Releases 2022 MCAS and Accountability Results
09/27/2022		PRESS RELEASE Baker-Polito Administration Announces 2023 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year
09/26/2022		Update: PAL Registration Notice and Important Programmatic Updates
09/26/2022		Affordable Connectivity Program
09/23/2022		National School Lunch Program Administrative Review and Procurement Review Process Preparation for Schools Scheduled for an Administrative Review in SY 2022-2023
09/23/2022		FY2023 Grants Management September Update
09/23/2022		New MCAS Pre-Admin Guide Now Available
09/22/2022		Student Assessment Update September 22, 2022
09/22/2022		Applying For Emergency Extensions — Old Vs. New
09/19/2022		Baker-Polito Administration Announces Availability of $100 Million for Public Schools to Make HVAC and Air Quality Improvements
09/16/2022		Interdisciplinary District Decision-Making Teams Professional Development: Paving the Way for Reading Proficiency for All Students Including Those with Dyslexia Course.
09/16/2022		Upcoming Indicator 7 Data webinar: To support you in implementing these data collection changes, our external evaluators for Indicator 7 and SSIP.
09/14/2022		Educational Stability Orientation 2022-23
09/12/2022		EL Assessment Update: Back-to-School ACCESS for ELLs Information 2022-2023
09/09/2022		STEM Newsletter: September 2022
09/09/2022		September 2022 Ed Prep Welcome Letter
09/09/2022		Are You an Experienced Director of Special Education? Participate with a cohort of your peers in the DESE-sponsored Leadership Institute 2022-2023. Apply online by September 12th.
09/08/2022		Registration Now Available for Fall Training on MCAS, MCAS-Alt, and Performance Appeals
09/08/2022		Student Assessment Update September 8, 2022
09/07/2022		REGISTER NOW for the Early Childhood Coordinators Administrative Leadership Institute and Community of Practice for 2022-2023
09/06/2022		2022 Fall Professional Development (PD) Provider Registry Application
09/02/2022		Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program during School Year 2022/2023
09/02/2022		Reissued Mileage Reimbursement for Parents memo
09/01/2022		Student Assessment Update September 1, 2022, Special Edition
08/31/2022		School Meal Service Questions and Answers for School Year 2022-2023
08/26/2022		Early College Incubator Grantee Kick Off
08/25/2022		PRESS RELEASE Baker-Polito Administration Highlights School Safety Initiatives and Announces New Funding
08/25/2022		Effective Behavioral Intervention Programs Assistance
08/24/2022		Student Assessment Update August 24, 2022, Special Edition
08/23/2022		Additional Flexibility for Educator Licensure: 2022-2023 Update
08/22/2022		PRESS RELEASE Baker-Polito Administration Awards $2 Million to Support New Early College Pilot Programs
08/22/2022		FY23 Applications for Renewal of Charters
08/22/2022		Charter Amendment Requests Pending Board Action (Districts Specified in Charter Region, Grades Served, and/or Maximum Enrollment)
08/19/2022		Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, and Mathematics/Science (Middle School) MTEL Release and Score Report Information
08/18/2022		Special Mailing — HiSET Transition to PSI Timeline
08/17/2022		Notice of Public Comment, Proposed Amendments to 603 CMR 49.00 Notification of Bullying or Retaliation Regulations
08/17/2022		EL Leadership Network Meetings SY 22-23
08/16/2022		Heritage Languages Focus Group
08/16/2022		World Languages Leaders Network 2022-2023
08/16/2022		Seal of Biliteracy Meet-up
08/16/2022		World Languages Curriculum Alignment Lab (CAL) Track 2
08/15/2022		Permanent Agreements for the Child Nutrition Program Sponsors
08/11/2022		FY2023 Afterschool and Out-of-School Time (ASOST) State Competitive FC528/530 Grant Now Posted
08/11/2022		FY2023 Afterschool and Out-of-School Time (ASOST) State Competitive Grant FC528/530 Info / Q & A Session on 8/18/22 at 10am
08/10/2022		Projected FY23 Charter School Tuition and Enrollment
08/08/2022		Student Assessment Update August 8, 2022, Special Edition
08/08/2022		Early College Planning Grant Information Session
08/05/2022		FY23 IDEA Allocations and RFPs - Now Available
08/05/2022		STEM Newsletter: August 2022
08/04/2022		Accurately Coding Bilingual Education Teachers in EPIMS - Webinar
08/03/2022		School Meals Communication Plan for School Year 2022-2023
08/03/2022		CACFP Policy for Annual Application Renewal
08/03/2022		CACFP Policy for Active Participation
08/03/2022		Emergency Extension Update: August 2022
08/02/2022		REVISED: School Year (SY) 2022-2023 Massachusetts Meal Benefit Household Application Packet Now Available
07/29/2022		Projected FY2023 Charter School Tuition and Enrollment
07/28/2022		FY23 ESSA Allocations and RFPs - Now Available
07/27/2022		PRESS RELEASE Governor Baker Appoints Two New Members to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
07/26/2022		Chapter 688 Referral Form has been updated and posted on the Chapter 688 Information and Referral Forms page
07/25/2022		FY23 Perkins Allocations and RFPs - Now Available
07/22/2022		Action Needed: Expiring Awards Unclaimed Funds
07/21/2022		School Resource Officer (SRO) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Operating Procedures and Related Data Submission Requirements
07/20/2022		FY2021 Unclaimed Balances
07/20/2022		FY2020 Unclaimed Balances
07/20/2022		FY2023 Grants Management July Update
07/14/2022		Student Assessment Update July 14, 2022, Special Edition
07/14/2022		Before You Submit Part A - Webinar
07/08/2022		REVISED Meal Service Questions and Answers for Summer 2022 (SFSP, SSO and NSLP)
07/07/2022		STEM Newsletter: July 2022
07/07/2022		Notice of Public Comment on the Proposed Amendment to 603 CMR 28.03(1), Special Education, School District and Personnel Regulations
07/07/2022		The RFP for the FY2023 Safe and Supportive Schools Continuation Grant Program (Fund Code 337) is also now available, with proposals due September 1, 2022. See RFP for full details.
07/06/2022		USDA Foods — Availability Update, Brown Box FCFS, Bonus DoD Funds, Processing Pounds, Warehouse Contracts, & Assessment Fees
07/06/2022		PAL Registration Notice
07/06/2022		General Science, Physics, Technology/Engineering, Mathematics (Elementary), and Reading Specialist MTEL Release and Score Report Information
07/06/2022		Grants Management Multi-Year Grant Reminders
07/01/2022		All LEAs will be required to submit an updated Special Education Program Plan Statements (SEPPS) for FY23 which must be approved before your FY23 IDEA grants can be approved.
06/30/2022		Teachers' Top 3 for May/June 2022: Keeping Students Safe and Healthy, Daily Dedications, Teacher Celebration
06/29/2022		PRESS RELEASE Massachusetts Launches MassLinks, a Virtual School Option for Adult Education and English Language Instruction
06/29/2022		DESE has converted the Draft Improved IEP Form (IEP 1 – IEP 8) to Word format, translated it into Chinese, Haitian-Creole, Portuguese, Spanish and Vietnamese and posted to the IEP Improvement Project website.
06/29/2022		Critical Shortage Waiver Update 2022/2023
06/29/2022		MCAS-Alt Decision Making Tool Translation and Availability
06/27/2022		Final FY22 Charter School Tuition and Enrollment
06/24/2022		Release of Spring 2022 MCAS Items
06/23/2022		OASES Software Pilot Training
06/21/2022		FY2022 Grants Management June Update
06/21/2022		MA DESE Public Announcement on the Summer Food Service Program 2022
06/21/2022		Student Assessment Update June 21, 2022
06/17/2022		EL Assessment Update: End of Year Reminders and Announcements
06/16/2022		Learn About new VOCAL dashboard
06/15/2022		Webpage outlining mental and behavioral health supports from the Office of Student and Family Support
06/13/2022		IDEA equitable services carry-over from FY21 FC 240/262: Action Required
06/09/2022		Draft IEP Form Feedback Survey
06/07/2022		Student Assessment Update June 7, 2022
06/07/2022		Register for 2nd MCAS Early Release Reporting Webinar
06/07/2022		New ELE and WL Director Induction
06/06/2022		Massachusetts Education Job Fair hosted by DESE and MASSHIRE, 15 June 2022 10AM-2PM. There are thousands of positions to fill at all experience levels in districts across the Commonwealth.
06/03/2022		STEM Newsletter: June 2022
06/01/2022		Emergency License Grant Opportunity
05/27/2022		Additional Data Available for Area Eligibility, Summer 2022 and SY 2022-23
05/27/2022		Fiscal Year 2022 final grant payment windows. These final windows are for all grants regardless of whether they end 6/30/2022 or 8/31/2022. July is the final grant request window for FY22.
05/26/2022		Keeping Students Safe, Healthy, and Ready to Learn — resources for schools on talking about and preventing violence, and other supports
05/25/2022		Public Comment: Updates to Subject Matter Knowledge (SMK) Guidelines
05/24/2022		Student Assessment Update May 24, 2022
05/24/2022		EL Assessment Update: Data Validation, 2023 ACCESS Testing Window, and K W-APT Reminder
05/24/2022		FY2022 Grants Management May Update
05/19/2022		Expand STEM Opportunities at Your School — Join us on Wednesday, 6/8 at 5:00
05/18/2022		The Department is Authorized to Reissue the Emergency License
05/17/2022		Student Assessment Update, Special Edition 5/17/2022, Special Edition — Reporting Updates
05/16/2022		School Meals Regional Resource Management Technical Assistance
05/12/2022		EL Assessment Update: Release of ACCESS for ELLs Test Results
05/10/2022		Student Assessment Update May 10, 2022
05/10/2022		Special Education Accountability and Assistance Webinar — Support for LEAs with a Determination of Needs Assistance (NA) or Needs Intervention (NI)
05/06/2022		STEM Newsletter: May 2022
05/05/2022		Public Comment Sought on High School Graduation Requirements and Related Matters by June 3
05/04/2022		2022 Spring Professional Development Provider (PD) Registry Application
05/04/2022		Register for the MCAS Early Release Reporting Webinar
05/03/2022		Reporting Schedules
04/29/2022		Teachers' Top 3 for March/April 2022: Honoring Multilingual Students' Knowledge and Identities, Civics Project Fellowship, PAEMST Honorees
04/29/2022		IEP Improvement Project Update: DESE is excited to announce that a new draft IEP form is now available for initial public review.
04/28/2022		Notice of Public Comment for the Proposed Amendments to 603 CMR 31.00, Massachusetts Certificate of Mastery and State Seal of Biliteracy Regulations
04/28/2022		Notice of Public Comment for the Proposed Amendments to 603 CMR 30.00, Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System and Standards for Competency Determination Regulations
04/28/2022		Notice of Public Comment for the Proposed Amendments to 603 CMR 7.00, Educator Licensure and Preparation Program Approval Regulations
04/28/2022		Notice of Public Comment for the Proposed Amendments to 603 CMR 4.00, Vocational Technical Education Regulations
04/27/2022		FY2022 Multi-Year Delegation
04/27/2022		Multi-Year FAQ and How To
04/26/2022		Student Assessment Update April 26, 2022
04/25/2022		Special Milk Program Onboarding Online Security Portal Training and Renewal Process for Fiscal Year 2023
04/25/2022		FY2022 Grants Management April Update
04/15/2022		2022 Spring Professional Development Provider (PD) Registry Application
04/15/2022		Summer Learning
04/14/2022		Projected FY23 Charter School Tuition and Enrollment
04/12/2022		"Nuts and Bolts" of Early College Designation Part A Application
04/12/2022		Student Assessment Update April 12, 2022
04/11/2022		EL Assessment Update: 2023 Test Window Extension and Other Important Announcements
04/08/2022		Special Milk Program Onboarding Online Security Portal Training and Renewal Process for Fiscal Year 2022
04/07/2022		Introduction to SparkAlpha
04/05/2022		Release of March 2022 Legacy MCAS Retest Information
04/05/2022		Release of February 2022 MCAS Information
04/05/2022		PRESS RELEASE Baker-Polito Administration Awards $600,000 in Grants to High Schools to Support Innovation Pathways
04/04/2022		Student Assessment Update, Special Edition for High Schools April 4, 2022
04/01/2022		FY2022 Grants Management March Update
04/01/2022		STEM Newsletter: April 2022
04/01/2022		PRESS RELEASE Massachusetts Students Lead Nation in Advanced Placement Success
03/31/2022		Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) — April Report
03/31/2022		STEM AP Access Expansion Opportunity
03/31/2022		Webinar: Chapter 74 Nonresident Student Tuition Program
03/31/2022		Questions and Answers for the Rethinking Grading Pilot
03/30/2022		PRESS RELEASE Randolph Educator Receives National Milken Award
03/29/2022		Student Assessment Update March 29, 2022
03/29/2022		General Curriculum Redevelopment Notice and Guidance
03/28/2022		PRESS RELEASE Baker-Polito Administration Announces New Early College Programs and Awards More Than $1.3 Million in Grants
03/28/2022		Early Childhood Educators — Professional Learning Opportunities Related to SEL — Spring 2022
03/28/2022		2022-2023 Charter School Pre-Enrollment Report
03/24/2022		Supply Chain Assistance (SCA) Funds Questions and Answers
DESE Latest Updates