Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE)

2025 Public Comment Submission Page

For each set of regulations, public comment may be submitted by completing the form below, or by emailing the address below, or by submitting written comment via mail to: Regulations Public Comment, c/o Commissioner's Office, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149. The deadline to submit public comment is April 4, 2025 at 5:00 pm. The Board is expected to vote on the proposed amendments at its regular monthly meeting scheduled for May 20, 2025.

Proposed Amendments to Regulations on Educator Licensure and Preparation Program Approval (603 CMR 7.00)

Link to Memo and Proposed Amendments to Current Regulations:
Regulatory Authority: M.G.L. c. 69, § 1B; c. 69, §§ 1J and 1K, as amended by St. 2010; c. 12, § 3; c. 71, § 38G, as amended by St. 2022, c. 154, § 10; c. 71, 38G ½; c. 71A, § 10; c. 76, § 19.
Summary of Proposed Amendments: In summary, the proposed amendments will permanently authorize alternative assessments for educator licensure, will create a new Media Arts Endorsement to allow teachers to demonstrate a body of knowledge that aligns to the MA Arts Curriculum Framework, will create additional flexibilities in coursework for professional licensure, will change the name of the Health/Family and Consumer Sciences license to Comprehensive Health in alignment with the MA Comprehensive Health Curriculum Framework, and shift from All Levels to PK–8 and 5–12, will allow the Bilingual Endorsement as an alternative to the Sheltered English Immersion Endorsement for initial licenses in core academic areas, will specify that Emergency licenses may not be extended beyond June 30, 2027, and will remove outdated language relating to licensure flexibilities that were available during the COVID-19 pandemic and other irrelevant language.
Link to Public Comment Submission Form: English form , Spanish form , Portuguese form
Email Address to Submit Public Comment or Questions: EducatorPreparation@mass.gov
Public Comment Deadline: April 4, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

Proposed Amendments to Regulations on MCAS and Competency Determination (603 CMR 30.00)

Link to Memo and Proposed Amendments to Current Regulations:
Regulatory Authority: 603 CMR 30.00: M.G.L. c. 69, §§ 1B and 1D; St. 2003, c.140, §119
Summary of Proposed Amendments: In summary, the proposed amendments include the following: align the regulations to the new statutory language; define terms to provide clarity; specify minimum requirements to earn the competency determination; add "an additional area determined by the Board"; offer options to address students' needs; and provide oversight.
Additional Question: On behalf of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is seeking public comment on the following question:
- In addition to the pathway proposed in the amendments to the regulations, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is seeking public comment on the question of whether to include a second, alternate pathway for earning the competency determination. The second pathway would be an additional route available to all students. It would be based on earning a qualifying score on the relevant high school MCAS assessment, which high school students are required to take.
Link to Public Comment Submission Form: English form , Spanish form , Portuguese form
Email Address to Submit Public Comment or Questions: Competency.Determination@mass.gov
Public Comment Deadline: April 4, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

Last Updated: February 25, 2025