It appears that the Obama-era regulations governing school and district accountability under ESSA and teacher preparation programs under the Higher Education Act are facing the
School Spin: Reports and Analysis of Turnaround Practices
Massachusetts wonks got a late holiday gift in the release of two sets of reports on school and district turnaround practices. The Commonwealth released the
BESE January Meeting Quick Read
LiveStream videos of the BESE/BHE January meetings are available! Monday, January 23, 2017 The BESE discussed the proposed state plan under the Every Student
A delay for ESSA?
An executive order by the current White House administration to delay any regulations that have not yet taken affect for up to 60 days. This
Follow along! Betsy DeVos hearing for Secretary of Education.
https://www.theatlantic.com/liveblogs/2017/01/senate-confirmation-hearings-day-4/513287/ Follow along at home and enjoy the Betsy DeVos hearing tonight with The Atlantic.
History Frameworks Revision: Out with the old…
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is diving into the past and reviewing the History and Social Sciences Curriculum Frameworks in preparation for
Now open! Comments on the English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics Curriculum Frameworks
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has revised the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics. The revised drafts for the Curriculum
BESE meetings live stream!
Watch the excitement of policy making from the comfort of your own couch. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meetings are now live-streamed! MA ESE
Public Forums on School/District Accountability: ESSA Part 2 of Many
Do you have an opinion about your schools? Probably. Does your opinion match with what MAssachusetts uses to measure schools and district performance? Probably not.
Next Generation High Schools
The United States Department of Education has released guidance on stragies for supporting innovation in high schools. Spoiler alert: Nothing in these proposals are new
Redesigning Massachusetts School & District Accountability: ESSA Part 1 of Many.
The federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was reauthorized in December 2015. The most recent iteration of this law is know as ESSA –
Out with Instructional Technology, In with Computer Science?
Are we throwing out the digital baby with the bathwater? In June 2016, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted to adopt the Digital
Charter School Newsletter – September 2016
The September 2016 Charter School Newsletter from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is available online. Topics in the issue include:
Technology and Shiny New Objects!
The September 9, 2016 Commissioner’s Weekly Update was a virtual playground of DESE news on computer-based testing, funding opportunities and real-life networking events. Also included in
Autism Endorsement
Massachusetts established an Autism Endorsement in 2016. As certain as death and taxes, there will be confusion over this new credential. For a deep-dive on
10th Grade MCAS til 2018?
MCAS 2.0 development is kicking into high gear for grades 3-8. It looks like Massachusetts may be sticking with the legacy version of the MCAS
English Learner Toolkits
Not sure where to jump in and find out how to better support English learners in you classroom, school or community? NCELA and the Office
National Clearinghouse for English Langauge Acquisition (NCELA)
NCELA is a virtual waterpark of policy and instructional resources for wonks and practitioners alike regarding English language learners issues. Wade in the shallow end with
2016 MCAS Results – Preliminary Data
Preliminary 2016 MCAS Results: Districts and schools now have embargoed access to their full preliminary MCAS and MCAS-Alt results in English language arts, mathematics, and
Giving Feedback on Practice
Adapted from the MTA Summer Conference Workshop Copiloting: A toolkit for cooperating teachers. The education profession depends on the willingness of professional teachers and administrators to open
Observational Tools for Teacher/Faculty Feedback (Part 1)
Have you been asked to observe a fellow educator? Are you enrolled in school administrator preparation program? Are you supervising a student teacher? Are you
