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.
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in core academic areas, will specify that Emergency licenses may not be extended beyond June 30, 2027, and will remove outdated language relating to licensure flexibilities that were available during the COVID-19 pandemic and other irrelevant language.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.
Anticipated Board Vote: May 20, 2025
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.
Email Address to Submit Public Comment or Questions: Competency.Determination@mass.gov
Regulatory Authority: M.G.L. c. 69, §§ 1B and 1F, and M.G.L. c. 74, § 2
Summary of Proposed Amendments: In summary, the proposed amendments relate to changes in admissions practices including a weighted lottery system and student demonstration of interest. The proposed amendments also include requirements related to the middle school experience. Lastly, the proposed amendments include updates to address terminology — e.g., updating references to this type of education from "vocational" to "career technical."
Email Address to Submit Public Comment or Questions: ccte@mass.gov
Public Comment Deadline: April 18, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
Regulatory Authority: M.G.L. c. 69, § 1B, M.G.L. c. 71, § 37G(c), and M.G.L. c. 71B, §10
Summary of Proposed Amendments: In summary, the proposed amendments to 603 CMR 46.00 update the definitions of seclusion and time-out, add requirements for any room or area that is used for time-out, add emergency circumstances under which a type of seclusion may be used as a last resort, and build in various safeguards when such an emergency intervention is used. The proposed amendments also include a provision that any schools or programs that utilize such an emergency intervention must examine alternatives and strategies for reducing and eliminating its use no later than 3 years from the effective date of the proposed regulations In summary, the proposed amendments to 603 CMR 18.00 require approved special education day programs to comply with the updated version of 603 CMR 46.00 and more closely align documentation requirements currently applicable to special education programs to the proposed documentation requirements in the updated version of 603 CMR 46.00.
Email Address to Submit Public Comment or Questions: specialeducation@mass.gov
Public Comment Deadline: May 2, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
Anticipated Board Vote: June 24, 2025
Last Updated: March 28, 2025