Center for School and District Partnership (CSDP)

New Student Assistance

Overview

As part of a statewide effort, the Department is providing support for districts experiencing the impact of newly opened emergency assistance family shelters through the MA Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC) and the Office of Refugees and Immigrants (ORI). DESE Offices are focused on supporting districts in developing the systems needed to:

Authentically welcome students and their families and efficiently and accurately enroll, screen, and place students into appropriate classroom settings,
Provide effective English Language Development and Sheltered English Instruction in welcoming classrooms,
Staff a sufficient number of well-trained educators, and
Holistically support students and families based on their individual needs.

Technical Assistance

During the 2023-24 school year, DESE provided individualized technical assistance to many districts that were welcoming newcomer English learners through the Emergency Assistance shelter system. In 2024-25, DESE will continue to provide technical assistance on an as-needed basis. First, consider using this Needs Assessment as a resource to identify needs.
Districts who wish to access technical assistance should contact Allison Balter .

General Resources

Additional Resources

Translation/Interpretation	Endorsement/Licensure
DESE Guidance for the Provision of Interpreters in the Education Setting Language Ambassador training module and guidance Approved translation and interpretation vendors: PRF 75 Sign up for Interpreter in the Education Setting trainings	Information about RETELL and MTEL *SEI Endorsement Courses* DESE will continue contracting with providers to offer virtual, no-cost SEI Endorsement courses to target districts for SY 24-25. Districts interested in SEI endorsement courses should contact Diana Gentile *ESL MTEL* Support Free-of-cost MTEL prep modules for ESL MTEL can be accessed here.

Translation/Interpretation

Endorsement/Licensure

DESE Guidance for the Provision of Interpreters in the Education Setting
Language Ambassador training module and guidance
Approved translation and interpretation vendors: PRF 75
Sign up for Interpreter in the Education Setting trainings

Information about RETELL and MTEL

SEI Endorsement Courses

DESE will continue contracting with providers to offer virtual, no-cost SEI Endorsement courses to target districts for SY 24-25.
Districts interested in SEI endorsement courses should contact Diana Gentile

ESL MTEL Support

Free-of-cost MTEL prep modules for ESL MTEL can be accessed here.

Last Updated: August 8, 2024