The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
Advisory Council Appointments
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 15, Section 1G directs the Board to establish advisory councils in a number of different areas. In the 2011-2012 school year, there will be 17 advisory councils:
- adult basic education
- arts education
- community service learning
- educational personnel
- educational technology
- English language learners/bilingual education
- gifted and talented education
- global education
- interdisciplinary health education and human services
- life management skills
- mathematics and science education
- parent and community education and involvement
- racial imbalance
- school and district accountability and assistance
- special education
- technology/engineering education
- vocational technical education
The purpose of the advisory councils is to advise the Commissioner and the Board on matters pertinent to the implementation of education reform in the Commonwealth and to provide programmatic recommendations to meet federal or state requirements or to accomplish the goals and priorities established by the Board and the Department.
Council members are appointed for up to two consecutive three-year terms. Members include school committee members, school superintendents, professional educators, community members, parents, and students. The statute calls for councils to have a reasonable balance of members representing business, labor, civic, educational, parental, and professional groups, striving for diversity and geographic balance. The Commissioner appoints the chairperson or co-chairs for each council. A Department administrator and liaison work with each council chairperson in scheduling the council meetings, generally four per year, depending on the needs and business of the council. The meetings are open to the public and are posted on the Department's advisory council website. Each council submits an annual report to the Commissioner on current issues that are relevant to the goals and objectives of the Board and Department.
Invitations to apply for appointment to a 2011-2012 advisory council were posted in the Commissioner's update. Applications were encouraged from educators, parents, students, community members, school committee members, higher education personnel, and business leaders who have demonstrated interest in and commitment to educational improvement as well as the knowledge, skills, and experience in the subject matter of the advisory council of interest. The Department received approximately 100 applications, all of which were vetted by advisory council administrators, liaisons, and senior staff.
I am submitting a list of recommendations for discussion at the September Board meeting and for a vote in October. I am recommending that the Board appoint or reappoint the nominees as indicated. The categories represent the stage of membership:
Maintains: members who are in years one to three of either their first or second term or are designated members by statute - provided for informational purposes
Reappoints: applicants recommended to serve a second three-year term
Recommends: applicants nominated to serve their first three-year term
I invite you to review this list and share with me by Friday, October 7, 2011 any additional suggestions for advisory council membership. The Board will vote on the appointments at the October 25 meeting.
Enclosure:
