What is old is new again. Measured Progress, the longtime test developer and vendor for the MCAS exam, has been selected as the vendor for
Digital Learning Blog
Got technology? Check out the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Digital Learning Blog!! Read about creative uses of educational technology, professional development and
Changes to Licensure?
Did you ever want to be a doctor but found the exams and medical school to be just too burdensome? Is the Bar exam stopping
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
Did you miss the BESE meeting this week? We got ya covered! The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education documents are now available here. Don’t forget
Autism Endorsement for non-Special Education teachers?
DESE wants your thoughts on making the Autism Endorsement available (but not required by regulations) to general education teachers who are not licensed or working
Applications open for Teacher and Principal Advisory Cabinet
Got opinions on education policy? DESE is accepting applications for the 2016-17 Teacher and Principal Advisory Cabinets. From DESE: Additionally, members will work closely with
Speak up on School/District Accountability
If you have an opinion on the methods Massachusetts uses to rank schools based upon test scores, DESE wants to hear it! DESE Seeking feedback
Got thoughts on Licensure?
DESE is looking for your good ideas about making that Byzantine licensure system, well, a bit less byzantine. Applications due April 22, 2016 Opportunity to Join
US Ed School Climate Surveys
The United Stated Department of Education (ED) has made available a set of free tools for schools on Safe Supportive Learning. This set of tools
MCAS 2.0 Development
MCAS 2.0 is not taking the Commuter Rail to the next-generation assessment station. This train has left the building. DESE has published the Development Process
MCAS 2.0 Bid Posting
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
BESE March 22, 2016 Documents
The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education documents are now available here. On the agenda this week: Items for Discussion and Action Update on
ELA & Math Frameworks Review
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.
Just Say No to the VISTA Survey
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
What’s In and What’s Out -NCLB to ESSA
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-
DESE Educator Effectiveness Guidebook for Inclusive Practice
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
Adios, Highly Qualified Teachers
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
Research on Snow Days from HKS
Joshua Goodman from the Harvard Kennedy School release a paper analyzing what happens when Massachusetts schools do – or do not- close for snow. He
DESE Memo on Alternative to Snow Days
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
DESE Charter School Recomendations 2-16-16
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
WIDA – Free ESL/ELL PD
Massachusetts is a member of the WIDA consortium. Educators can create a free profile on the WIDA page and have access to a variety of
