ARCHIVED INFORMATION Horizontal line

The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education

Briefing for the May 21, 2019 Regular Meeting of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education

To:
Members of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
From:
Jeffrey C. Riley, Commissioner
Date:
May 10, 2019

The next regular meeting of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Board) will be on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at the Malden Public Library (Maccario Room), 36 Salem Street, Malden, MA. The meeting will start at 10:30 a.m. rather than our usual 8:30 a.m. start, and should adjourn by 12:30 p.m. If you need overnight accommodations or additional information about the schedule, please call Helene Bettencourt at (781) 338-3120.

Overview

We are holding the May 21 meeting at Malden Public Library because our usual meeting room at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) is being renovated. Our business agenda includes a presentation and discussion on educator diversity initiatives and a report from Department staff and local educators on work to promote the History-Social Science curriculum framework, including civics education. The Board also will get an update on the FY2020 state education budget and review the proposed schedule for regular meetings through June 2020.

Regular Meeting

Comments from the Chair

Chair Craven will brief the Board on current issues and activities.

Comments from the Commissioner

  1. New Bedford-Alma del Mar Charter School Partnership. I will report to the Board on the status of this collaborative effort.

  2. 2020 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. On May 15, we will announce the 2020 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. I look forward to having the teacher make a presentation to the Board at a future meeting.

Comments from the Secretary

The Secretary will brief the Board on current issues and activities.

Items for Discussion and Action

  1. Educator Workforce Diversity — Discussion

    Recruiting and retaining a diverse and effective educator workforce is one of the Department's priority strategies to address educational inequity. The memo under Tab 1 sets the context with respect to demographic data, student performance results, and educational research and describes our current initiatives in this area. On May 21, Ventura Rodriguez, Senior Associate Commissioner for Strategic Initiatives, and Shay Edmond, Director of Student Equity Initiatives, will present an overview and answer your questions.

  2. Update on Department Support for History, Social Science, and Civics Education — Discussion

    The Board adopted the new History and Social Science Curriculum Framework, including a strong focus on civics education, in June 2018. In November 2018, Governor Baker signed a law to promote and enhance civic engagement and support implementation of the framework. At this month's Board meeting, Heather Peske, Senior Associate Commissioner for the Center for Instructional Support, and Michelle Ryan, History and Social Science Content Support Lead, will facilitate a discussion about the implementation of the 2018 History and Social Science Curriculum Framework. The Board will also hear from a panel of educators who will share their experiences implementing the standards in their respective districts.

  3. Update on FY2020 State Education Budget — Discussion

    The Senate Ways and Means Committee released its proposed FY2020 budget on May 7. At our May 21 meeting, we will review the Senate Ways and Means Committee's education budget proposal in relation to the Board's budget priorities. Senior Associate Commissioner/CFO Bill Bell and Budget Director Julia Jou will join the discussion.

  4. Proposed Schedule for Regular Board Meetings through June 2020 — Discussion

    Enclosed is a list of proposed Board meeting dates for the upcoming school year. Please review it in anticipation of a vote on the schedule at the June meeting.

Other Items for Information

  1. Report on Grants Approved by the Commissioner

    Enclosed is information on grants that I have approved since the last meeting, under the authority the Board has delegated to the Commissioner.

If you have questions about any agenda items, please call me. I look forward to seeing you at the meeting at the Malden Public Library on May 21.