The trends look positive as the number of new cases of COVID-19 among students and staff in Massachusetts public schools was lower than the prior
Category: The Policy Minute

COVID-19 Cases In Schools February 10, 2021
The number of reported positive cases of COVID-19 in public schools among students dropped for the third week and for the fifth week among staff.

COVID-19 IN SCHOOLS – February 2, 2021
DESE reported an additional 583 cases of COVID-19 among students in public schools and 325 cases among staff. This data may not yet include any
COVID-19 In Schools – January 27, 2021
The number of reported in-school cases of COVID-19 among staff continues to increase. 1866 public school staff working in buildings have tested positive for COVID-19
COVID 19 In schools – Jan 20, 2021
The number of reported in-school cases of COVID-19 among students continues to increase. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) reports the number of
BESE Meeting – January 26, 2021
The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) is meeting on Tuesday, January 26, 2021. The Board welcomes public comment on matters within its
Public Comment – Synchronous Learning Regulations
DESE is collecting public comments until January 29, 2021 on the proposed mandate for “synchronous learning time” in public schools. The emergency amendments were adopted
COVID-19 In Schools September 2020- January 19, 2021
The number of reported in-school cases of COVID-19 has increased according to data provided by DESE. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) reports

MCAS 2021 Test Administration
See the update from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on January 5th, 2021regarding MCAS test administration and school/district accountability. The Department will take

Long Term subs & Assignment out of license
The BESE approves one-year regulatory changes that will allow long term substitute teachers who hold a license to apply the time towards PTS. As part

MCAS & ACCESS Testing Changes
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) announced changes to the MCAS test administration schedule and the testing window for the ACCESS for ELLs
Vocational Licensure Test – Updates
An updated list of available test dates for Chapter 74 Vocational Technical Education (VTE) Teacher MTELs is available from the Department of Elementary and Secondary
2021 High school MCAS Testing Schedule
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) published the the schedule for the 2021 High School MCAS administrations. The full details are available here.
2020-21 Charter School Applications
New year, new charter school application season in Massachusetts. Applications for New Charter Schools Leading off the season his is just one new charter school

Academic Licenses 20-21 Check List
CEPP has prepared a quick reference guide to the 2020-21 limited term options for employment and licensure as an Academic Teacher in Massachusetts. Check the

Ch 74 Teacher Licensure Check List (Revised!)
CEPP has prepared a quick reference guide to the 2020-21 limited term options for employment and licensure as a Ch 74 teacher. Check the list
Remote Learning & Digital Content Providers
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has release the following guidance for remote learning during the 2020-21 school year. These links include resources and
Vocational Technical Reg Changes
Massachusetts is laying the framework to build up a Voc Tech programs with the drafting of new regulations. Public comment is open until Jan 17
DESE Parent’s Guide to Special Education- Updated!
DESE has updated their Parent’s Guide to Special Education online tool. You can check out the updated online tool here: http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/videos/parents-guide/index.html#/. Note that at this
NAEP-A-Thon! 2019 NAEP Results + Massachusetts leads the pack
Massachusetts tops the nation in annual NAEP reports. Getting beyond the headlines, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) test scores or The Nation’s Report
2021 Teacher of the Year Applications
Applications are open for the 2021 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year program. Yes, 2021 is not a typo. Nominate the teacher down the hall who