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exploring Massachusetts education policy issues

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The Policy Minute

Licensure Test: Communications & Literacy Alternatives

April 30, 2026April 30, 2026 Center for Education Policy + Practice

BESE approved regulations to allow candidates for teacher licensure to waive or substitute the ComLit MTEL test. It was a one month delay, but passed in time for hundreds of teachers to complete license requirements before the end

The Policy Minute

Public Comment: Disciplinary Procedures & Special Education

April 21, 2026April 21, 2026 Center for Education Policy + Practice

DESE has proposed a new set of regulations on disciplinary procedures for students with disabilities. Spoiler: the language and procedures have existed under IDEA so there isn’t much that is new-new. As part of the 2025 supplemental state

The Policy Minute

Public Comment: Translation and Interpretation Regulations

March 19, 2026March 18, 2026 Center for Education Policy + Practice

DESE has proposed regulations with new standards for individuals who provide translation and interpretation services in Massachusetts public schools. As part of the Protect Education Equity Act language that was passed in 2025 and outlined in the BESE

The Policy Minute

New Time Out & Seclusion Guidance (2026)

March 16, 2026March 16, 2026 Center for Education Policy + Practice

It’s complicated, folks. DESE released updated Guidance on implementing the new regulations for time out and seclusion practices in schools. School based educators are concerned these regulations will restrict or limit how classroom management practices are used. Let’s

The Policy Minute

Public Comment: Educator Preparation Program Approval Guidelines

March 11, 2026March 11, 2026 Center for Education Policy + Practice

DESE is seeking public feedback on proposed revisions to the Guidelines for Educator Preparation Program Approval. The proposed changes cover Professional license programs, Endorsement programs, and hybrid/virtual formats. Feedback can be submitted through a survey or email by April 5.

The Policy Minute

Alternative Paths to Licensure: Proposed Regulations

December 3, 2025April 29, 2026 Center for Education Policy + Practice

Waiving an MTEL test for teacher licensure? Not so fast. But do take a look at the proposal to allow substitutions for some of the state-specific requirements for a license. The proposed amendments to 603 CMR 7.00 include

The Policy Minute

Public Comment: Antisemitism & Societal Bias Prevention Curriculum & Professional Development Rubric

October 24, 2025October 24, 2025 Center for Education Policy + Practice

A draft of DESE’s rubric for evaluating curricular materials and professional development on antisemitism and societal bias prevention is open for public comment through December 1, 2025. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is collecting public comment

The Policy Minute

Reading Specialist Teacher Pipeline

September 19, 2025September 18, 2025 Center for Education Policy + Practice

Take a look at the pipeline for licensed Reading Specialist teachers. We are starting off the school year with charts exploring reading and literacy education issues. Welcome back to #DataVizDay! Massachusetts offers a Reading Specialist Teacher license. Which

The Policy Minute

Public Comment Open on Time-Out & Seclusion Regulations

March 27, 2025March 27, 2025 Center for Education Policy + Practice

The definitions for time-out, seclusion and the descriptions of rooms and spaces used for time-out are all up for changes as part of public comments on the underlying regulations. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is proposing

The Policy Minute

Due April 4! Teacher Licensure Changes 2025, Round 1

March 27, 2025March 31, 2025 Center for Education Policy + Practice

It is Public Comment Szn and teacher licensure regulations are part of the party. Public comment is now open for changes including a new name for the health education license, modification of the 12-credit requirement and the permanent

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