The Subject Matter Knowledge (SMK) Guidelines released in August 2018 reflect a significant shift in the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (DESE's) approach to outlining content expectations for teachers, emphasizing the importance of aligning standards for students with expectations for educators. Below are some of the questions we have received from the field about implementing updates in alignment with the SMK Guidelines. If you have additional questions, please reach out to EducatorPreparation@mass.gov .
Can you clarify the expectations for the Digital Literacy Crosscutting SMK (i.e. "Apply basic principles and concepts for digital literacy and computer science … as outlined in the 2016 Digital Literacy Computer Science Framework") Crosscutting SMK?
Since all educators in the 21st Century must be able to navigate technology in their classrooms and schools, this crosscutting SMK elevates the need for initial teacher licensure programs to embed basic principles and concepts of digital literacy into candidate preparation. Given a learning curve regarding digital literacy among instructors and staff, a first step toward infusing this expectation for candidates may be in providing professional development for faculty/instructors around what digital literacy looks like in a PK-12 classroom. The core concepts of digital literacy that are referenced in this crosscutting SMK (i.e. Computing and Society, Digital Tools and Collaboration, and Computing Systems) can be found on pages 7–8 in the Digital Literacy and Computer Science Curriculum Framework .
Last Updated: August 16, 2023