DESE UPDATE: April 12th, 2019

1. Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Academies Webinar: The Department is pleased to offer six intensive professional development academies designed to help school and district teams implement tiered systems of instruction and support. Any school or district may apply for these academies, but first priority will be given to schools that are designated as underperforming or […]

DESE Update: April 5th, 2019

1. Message from Commissioner Riley about the 10th Grade English Language Arts MCAS: The Department heard from Boston Public Schools administrators on Friday, March 29, that some students had raised concerns about an essay prompt that was near the end of the 10th grade English language arts MCAS test. On Sunday, March 31, I decided […]

DESE Update: March 29th, 2019

1. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education: At the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meeting on March 26, Chair Paul Sagan said that he was stepping down now that his four-year term was over, and Secretary Peyser announced that Governor Baker had named Board member Katherine Craven as the new chair. Matthew Hills, a […]

DESE Update: March 8th, 2019

1. Math Pathways Regional Meetings: The grades 9-16 Math Pathways Regional Meetings started this month and will run through April. The meetings follow the success of the 2018 Pathways Summit, a collaboration between DESE and the Department of Higher Education to lay the groundwork for implementing distinct math pathways for students. Participants at each regional […]

School Health Services Update: February 13th, 2019

Dear Colleagues, With permission, I am attaching a letter that Pam Vaughn, RN, BSN, School Nurse at the Harrington Elementary School in Lexington, recently received from a grateful student. It’s the reason why we do what we do every day! While Pam is not alone, I’m sure in receiving a note of appreciation from a […]

DESE Update: January 25th, 2019

1. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Meeting: The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education met on January 22 and approved two motions with respect to an expansion request from Alma del Mar Charter School (download) in New Bedford. The first motion approved an expansion of 450 seats as part of an innovative compromise between […]

School Health Services Update: January 18th, 2019

Dear Colleagues, With an impending snow storm looming for the coming weekend, I hope you – and all the children you serve – find yourselves in a warm, dry and safe home.  We look forward to seeing many of our at the regional meetings in the west, southeast and northeast next week! Several issues have […]