We stand together with Asian American Pacific Islander communities against ongoing violence and persistent lack of media accountability. Any attack on our communities is personal. We mourn over the murders of Soon Chung Park, Hyun Jung Grant, Suncha Kim, Yong Yue, Delaina Ashley Yaun, Paul Andre Michels, Xiaojie Tan, Daoyou Feng, and the many others who have died and experienced violence as a result of anti-Asian racism and xenophobia in our country that have persisted for generations. We are acutely aware of the increase and ongoing attacks on our AAPI community, and condemn racism and oppression in all of its forms.
In our work as STEM educators we remain committed to working to dismantle institutional racism and white supremacy which has long played a role in the access, inclusion, and value of people of color and women in STEM. We support the knowledge and use of STEM as ways to promote equity and to challenge power, privilege, and oppression. We support the work of students and educators in creating a more just system. Our students have been calling for support against Anti-Asian racism in an open letter to school leaders, and we will work everyday to create the school system that our students deserve. Stop AAPI Hate. Black Lives Matter.
2021 Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education Awards
The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) is now accepting nominations for its annual Secretary’s Awards for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education. Applications will be accepted until Friday, April 16, 2021. All public and private Massachusetts schools (K-12) that offer energy and environmental education programs are eligible to apply for the Secretary’s Awards, which highlight work both in the classroom and through remote teaching involving clean energy and environmental protection advocacy.
Click here for the application. For application questions, contact Victoria Grimes at (857) 292-2027 or Victoria.grimes2@mass.gov.
Looking for Educator Preparation Reviewers
DESE is currently accepting applications for the 2021-22 cohort ofEd Prep reviewers. The Ed Prep Formal Review processwas designed to elevate educators’ diverse perspectives and make evaluations about preparation program effectiveness in partnership with PK-12 and higher education professionals. The application is open to all who are interested, including but not limited to: teachers, coaches, professional support personnel, school administrators, and district personnel. Ed Prep reviewers serve an integral role in evaluating the impact of educator preparation providers across the state. After careful selection and supportive training, DESE partners with reviewers to analyze evidence of program effectiveness and make evidence-based decisions. All upcoming reviews will be conducted fully virtually. Reviewers will earn up to 30 professional development points by conducting a document review, observing focus groups and interviews, and working in collaboration with a team of education professionals in making judgements regarding program performance relative to approval criteria. Please visit DESE’s website to access answers to FAQs, the application, and a nomination form (https://www.doe.mass.edu/edprep/review/reviewers/) or reach out to EducatorPreparation@mass.gov with questions. Make sure to apply by the May 2nd due date!
Visit the DESE STEM Grant Opportunities webpage to see listings of grants as they become available.
Programs to Support Accelerating Math Instruction for Students at NO COST to schools and districts
DESE is currently looking for vendors to offer three different programming options to support schools and districts in accelerating math instruction for Summer 2021 and the 21-22 school year. These programs will provide access to the program or curriculum, professional development for teachers to implement and use the program and be offered at no cost to schools and districts.
#1 - Digital Conceptual Mathematics Program
Online, virtual program that can supplement students conceptual understanding of math in grades K-8
PD for teachers to implement the program
Summer ‘21 and ‘21-’22 school year
#2 - Summer Intensive Programming and School year High Quality Instructional Materials Supports
Free access to a high-quality core mathematics program for grades K-12 and resources specifically designed for summer 2021
PD for teachers to implement the curricular materials
Summer ‘21 and ‘21-’22 school year
#3 - Targeted Acceleration using High Quality Instructional Materials
Free access to a high-quality core mathematics program for grades K-12
PD for teachers to implement the curricular materials and support targeted acceleration
For the ‘21-’22 school year
More information around school and district priority and registration will be coming soon. The selected vendors will be announced in May. For any questions about these opportunities please email AcceleratingMath@mass.gov.
High School Chemistry Classroom Grant
American Chemical Society-Hach High School Chemistry Classroom Grants of up to $1500 support ideas that enhance classroom learning, foster student development, and reveal the wonders of chemistry. Due Date to apply: April 14, 2021Find out more
Teacher Development Grants
The Teacher Development Grants from the McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation support small teams of teachers in the formation and implementation of groundbreaking K-12 classroom instruction. Due Date to apply: April 15, 2021Find out more
Please see this link for an updated MCAS testing schedule, including administration dates for grades 3–5 and updated MCAS-Alt deadlines. Information regarding testing dates for grades 6–8 and high school will be shared soon.
Reminders about June 2021 High School Science and Technology/Engineering (STE) Testing
As previously announced, the Department plans to administer all four high school science and technology/engineering tests (Biology, Chemistry, Introductory Physics, and Technology/Engineering) to grade 9 students and adults (grades 12 and higher) who have not yet met the Competency Determination (CD). Grade 9 students are encouraged to participate in an STE test if they are enrolled in a course that aligns to one of the four tests. Parents/guardians, in consultation with principals and other school personnel, have the option to request that their child participate in testing in grade 10 instead. An optional sample nonparticipation letter and form that may be used to document discussions with parents/guardians of students in grade 9 are available.
All four high school STE tests will be legacy, paper-based tests. The Biology and Introductory Physics tests will assess “overlapping” standards from both the 2006 and 2016 STE frameworks. Schools should be using the 2016 STE Framework to prepare students for both the Biology and Introductory Physics tests. The Chemistry and Technology/Engineering tests will align only to the 2006 STE standards, as the Department is planning to phase out these two tests over time. The tentative testing window for the high school STE tests is June 1–11, 2021. The Department does not plan to release high school STE items from this administration.
As a reminder, students in the classes of 2020–2023 may be eligible for the modified CD in STE.
The first administration of next-generation, computer-based tests in Biology and Introductory Physics has been delayed until June 2022.
Accommodations on High School STE Tests
Students with disabilities who will take high school STE tests this spring are entitled to receive the accommodations listed in their IEPs or 504 plans. Although many students may have computer-based accommodations listed in their plans with the expectation that the STE tests would be computer-based, the Department has decided to administer only paper-based high school STE tests this spring. For this reason, the plans of those students expecting to take computer-based STE tests may need to be amended prior to testing to reflect paper-based accommodations in cases where CBT accommodations cannot be provided. For example, a student with "text-to-speech" listed in their plan should receive either a "human reader" or the "Kurzweil read-aloud" accommodation instead. Please ensure that the student's lead teacher, IEP team chairperson, or 504 coordinator reviews all accommodations in the coming weeks to ensure that the appropriate paper-based accommodations will be provided to students entitled to receive them.
Update on Competency Determination (CD) Requirements for the Class of 2021
At its January 26 meeting, the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved a modification of the CD requirements in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics for currently enrolled students in the class of 2021. The course certification window and tool will remain open through April 9 on the Security Portal. See Commissioner Riley’s January 15 memorandum for more information. Please contact data@doe.mass.edu with any questions about the modified CD process.
The Department is pleased to announce the 2021 Spring Professional Development Provider (PD) Registry Application for providers interested in becoming approved and added to DESE’s online registry, those seeking approval for additional content areas, and those who need to renew their three-year approval status. The Department welcomes a variety of new and continuing providers, i.e., professional organizations, non-public schools, not-for-profit organizations, private and for profit organizations, individuals, educational partnerships, corporations, educational agencies, and associations whose PD programs demonstrate characteristics of the Massachusetts Standards for High Quality Professional Development.
The online application is due by Wednesday, April 21 at Resources & Tools for Providers page. Applications will be reviewed starting Thursday, April 22 in order of receipt, with an expected turnaround time of one to two months. Providers are encouraged to consider providing online PD opportunities. Anyone with any questions about the PD registry application can email profdev@doe.mass.edu.
Tues. April 13th - 7-8 pm - Mastering the Art of Questioning to Differentiate and Engage Students in Any Learning Environment with Alison Mello, sponsored by ATMIM, Register Here
