thepolicyminute
The Policy Minute
Pre-K to 16 Public Education Policy Issues in Massachusetts and beyond.
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Paraeducator E-learning from DESE
DESE is creating a series of e-learning modules to help districts train and onboard paraeducators. Your ideas and suggestions are needed!
Paraeducators are often left out of the planning and development of professional learning. While districts should still provide high quality learning opportunities for all paraeducators, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in developing a…
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#Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education#Paraeducators#Professional Development
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Early Literacy + Teacher Prep - Public Comment
Interested teacher preparation in the area of reading? DESE is seeking seeking feedback on the revised draft of the Early Literacy Program Approval Criteria through November 27, 2023.
As part of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s investments in improving instruction in language and literacy in early grades, the Office of Educator Preparation is updating the…
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Reading + Literacy Instruction Recommendations
Reading and literacy are complex. Educators know the best practices are effective practices. Take a look at an educator-developed set of recommendations for supporting reading and literacy.
In Summer 2023, a working group of Massachusetts Teachers Association members collaborated to identify policy and practice recommendations for schools at all levels to support student’s literacy
With growing…
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Proposed Virtual School - Public Comment Open!
Take a look at the application for the Felix Commonwealth Virtual School.Public comment is now open for new statewide virtual school until December 22, 2023.
Commonwealth Virtual Schools (CMVS) are state wide or regional virtual schools that enroll students at no cost to families. CMVS schools are required by statute to employ Massachusetts-licensed educators, participate in the MCAS assessments…
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Scholarships & Grants for Teacher Prep
The big news? The Tomorrow’s Teachers Scholarship applications are now open! Up to $25,000 per individual each year. A total of $7.5 million will be available for candidates enrolled in undergraduate or post-baccalaureate Initial license programs. Candidates enrolled at a state university or UMass campus can apply via their MassAid Student Portal.
Looking for additional aid programs?…
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Public Comment: Draft Health and Physical Education Frameworks
In the first updates since the late 1900s, the public comment is open through August 28 on the draft of the Health and Physical Education Frameworks.
At the June Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meeting, BESE members voted so send the draft frameworks out for a period of public comment. A memo from Commissioner Jeff Riley and summary of the topics included were presented.
This draft…
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Licensure Updates: June 2023
PreK-2 special education licenses, a Provisional School Nurse license and new pathway to add ESL and special education licenses were approved by BESE at the June Meeting.
The big-ticket changes included the PreK-2 special education licenses, the Provisional School Nurse license and an option for licensed teachers to add moderate disabilities, severe disabilities or English as a second language…
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Academic Licenses + Emergency Extension
Working under an Emergency license? Wondering if your time counts towards PTS? Yes. And yes, you can apply to extend the license for the 2023-24 school year.
Emergency licenses are currently available for all subjects and categories of Academic educators licenses. Academic educator licenses include all Teacher, Specialist Teacher, Professional Support Personnel and Academic Administrator…
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Voc Tech Licenses + Emergency Extension
Don’t panic! If you are currently working under an Emergency Voc Tech license, you can extend the license for the 2023-24 school year.
You many call it Chapter 74, a Career Vocational Technical Education (CVTE) or a Vocational Technical program and you hold a Vocational Technical Education license issued by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
Take a look at all our…
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Licensure Updates: April 2023 Proposed Amendments
A new PreK-2 special education license, a provisional school nurse license and options for licensed and experienced teachers to add special education and ESL licenses are proposed by DESE.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has proposed some new language that will fix some glitches in the academic teachers licensing system. Some. Not all.
The Board of Elementary and…
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New IEP Format and Transition Planning
The new IEP format is coming! Educators can take a look at the new format & resources from DESE. Yes, it is one MORE thing but start asking about training, transition plans & how this will work in your district. #EdChatMA #MAEdu
In the next few years, the revised IEP will be moving from aspirational to operational for all students with disabilities. Districts are expected to transition all new IEPs to the new format by 2024.
The current Individualized Education Plan (IEP) forms and IEP Process Guide have not be updated since the early days of the 21st century (or 2001 if you like firm dates) and are based on late-1900s…
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Updates on the Student Discipline Guidance
DESE released updated guidance related to student discipline and out-of-school suspensions following a 2022 mental health law. Take a look at what this language does – and does not- include regarding schools and student discipline policies.
As part of An Act Addressing Barriers to Care for Mental Health (Chapter 177 of the Acts of 2022), school leaders may be required to update school-based…
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Coming Soon: $15 Million for Tomorrow's Educators
Did you know an MTA proposal for $15,000,000 dedicated for scholarships for teacher preparation programs and some teacher loan forgiveness was approved in the 2022 budget? Let’s track down what is happening with the Tomorrow’s Educators programs.
In the FY2023 Massachusetts General Appropriations budget signed by then-Governor Charlie Baker, a pool of funds was set aside for Tomorrow’s…
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CAEP Volunteer Application is Open
The application is open for CAEP volunteers! Get in touch with us if you want to learn more CAEP and accreditation for educator preparation. The opportunity is available for PreK12 educators at any stage of their career!
The application to be an ed prep reviewer for CAEP is open through the end of March 2023. A great professional opportunity for PreK-12 teachers and other educators to learn more about teacher preparation and support teacher prep programs across the country.
The Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) is seeking volunteers to be trained to become part of review teams for…
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BESE Meeting Feb 23: Charters & Licensure
It is Charter-palooza season at the Board next week! Plus, teacher license regs for the MTEL alternatives pilot, a Military Spouse license, a Digital Literacy/Comp Science license and a report on Boston schools. #EdChatMA #MAEdu
In possibly the first two-day BESE meeting under Commissioner Riley, DESE takes up approving a new charter school and licensure changes, including a new Military Spouse license.
Watch the live stream here: livestream.com/accounts/22459134
The agenda and documents are also available here. www.doe.mass.edu/bese/docs/fy2023/2023-02/
Monday, February 27, 2023, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
The Board of…
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Condition of Ed Report 2023
Did you catch all three education commissioners and the new education secretary in one place this week? We did. And we have our own highlights to share with you.
Did you catch all three education commissioners and the new education secretary in one place this week? We did. And we have our own highlights to share with you.
The Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy released their 10th annual Condition of Education report this week. Held in person for the first time in a few years, “state of the state of education” in Massachusetts was held at the…
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MCAS Survey from DESE
The question is not HOW the MCAS tests can "improve" - it is which of the "improvements" do you prefer? You only have until Jan 27 to share your thoughts on MCAS.
Do you want to share your thoughts on the future of the MCAS test with DESE? You ship has just come in.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is seeking input from educators, parents, students and community members on how to “enhance” MCAS testing and testing related resources.
The survey is available here –…
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