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
Category: The Policy Minute
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
Our Way Forward: Commissioner Riley’s Kaleidoscope
Commissioner Jeff Riley released his vision for Massachusetts public schools in his report, Our Way Forward. Will Massachusetts school reach new heights or just leave
NEA Podcast: All About Parent Meetings
Have you checked out the NEA School Me podcasts yet? The latest podcast is out! All About… Parent Meetings Parent conference season will be starting
Accountability, Data and Test Scores 2019
2019 MCAS reports and school/district accountability reports are here! If you require assistance in understanding, we have the focused/targeted support for you. The school and
Charters Update: No New Charters, One Conversion & Three Expansions
No New Charter School Applications Recommended for this year. Three schools seek expansion and one school seeks to convert to a charter. The Commissioner of
Student Opportunity Act – The School Funding Bill
We have a school funding bill! The wizards behind the curtains in the Center for Education Policy + Practice and the Massachusetts Teachers Association are
2018 Teacher Evaluation Data
Surprise! Latest data shows even more Massachusetts teachers are rated Proficient and Exemplary. The 2017-18 educator evaluation data continue to show that almost all Massachusetts
DESE Cancels School “Blizzard Bags”
Snow days will continue to be snow days! DESE closes down “blizzard bags” option for local districts. A memo from the Commissioner of Elementary and
Even more for 2019/2020 Charter School Season!
Less than a week ago, we shared the first six letters of intent. There is one more to add to the mix! We have more
2019/20 Charter School Season Begins!
Despite the clear position of Massachusetts voters calling for No More Charter Schools, we are graced with SIX applications for new charter schools in Massachusetts.
MTA Summer Conference 2019!
Registration is open! See you at UMass Amherst for MTA Summer Conference in August. Are you looking for some great professional development courses? Did you
TLI Fellowship Applications Open!
Teachers! This is your year to join the MTA/NEA 2019-20 TLI Fellowship! The Massachusetts Teachers Association, in collaboration with the National Education Association, is seeking
Explainer: License Audits
Facing an audit of a Professional license? We got an Explainer for that. Check out our top ten steps to take when facing a Professional
Explainer: Accountability in MA
Ever wondered how Massachusetts ranks and sorts public schools? Check out our two-page CEPP Explainer on the Massachusetts Accountability System. In fall 2018, the Massachusetts
Explainer: Evaluation & Model Rubrics
Local associations who may be bargaining new contracts soon may also want to update their educator evaluation language. Check out the CEPP Explainer on Educator
Gifted & Talented Ed in MA: New Report Coming
Registration is open for two opportunities to join a presentation on a forthcoming Gifted and Talented Report in Massachusetts on May 8, 2019. Massachusetts has
Report on Students in Foster Care
Approximately 6000 Massachusetts children between the ages of 6-17 are in the foster care system. All of these children- plus children under the age of
Fund Our Future – School Funding Legislation
What legislation is on the table for increased school funding in Massachusetts? The Fund Our Future campaign home page has your summaries and quick links
Volunteer to serve on DESE Parent & Community & Involvement Advisory Council
Do you identify as parent or community member? Are you interested in family engagement in MA schools? Then you should join the BESE Parent and
