Do you have what it takes to develop the next-generation MCAS test? Read the press release from DESE announcing the opening of the request for responses (RFR) by DESE to assessment development vendors. The complete set of documents can be downloaded
Category: The Policy Minute
The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education documents are now available here. On the agenda this week: Items for Discussion and Action Update on Southbridge Public Schools – Discussion Update on Holyoke Public Schools – Discussion Every Student Succeeds
Speak now or hold your peace until the next round of revisions! DESE is collecting feedback on the current English Language Arts and Mathematics curriculum frameworks. This project will support potential revisions to the frameworks in fall 2016 as well as
MTA is reminding members that the VISTA Survey shared by DESE is voluntary. MTA reccomends educators opt out of taking the survey. The original post outlining our concerns can be read here. An updated post will be coming soon to massteacher.org
US ED has released an FAQ on what is in an what is out during the transition to the new Elementary and Secondary Education Act- Every Student Succeeds Act in 2017. Read the entire Transitioning to ESSA FAQ.
DESE has released a set of materials for educators designed to support inclusive practices in the classroom. The complete set of materials may be downloaded from http://www.doe.mass.edu/edeval/guidebook/.
Well, not exactly. We want YOU to stick around but the federal requirement for core teachers to be “Highly Qualified” will no long be required starting in the 2016-2017 school year. Read it here in paragraph 3 in the US Department of
Joshua Goodman from the Harvard Kennedy School release a paper analyzing what happens when Massachusetts schools do – or do not- close for snow. He finds: These findings, that weather-related school closings have little impact on student achievement, appear to
MTA Note: At this time, MTA has not taken a position for or against the use of alternative instructional strategies in case of inclement weather school closures. Alternative Structured Learning Day Programs To:Superintendents and Charter School Boards of Trustees Date: February 10,
Commissioner to Recommend Two New Charter Schools and 1,500+ New Seats in Existing Charters Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to vote February 23 MALDEN – Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Mitchell D. Chester today announced that he is recommending