In accordance with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in 2015, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) must ensure that all eligible private school children, teachers, and other educational personnel have an equitable opportunity to participate in certain services and programs as mandated by the Act, including programs under Titles II-A, III-A, and IV-A.
Many nonpublic schools receive services through a consultation process with local public-school districts, who are subrecipients of ESSA funds. In addition to district level equitable services, nonpublic schools may also be eligible to receive services directly through DESE. To further our commitment to providing high-quality equitable services and to better understand the most pressing needs of private schools for the 2023-24 school year (FY24), DESE conducted a comprehensive needs assessment in the Fall 2023.
After analyzing the results of the comprehensive needs assessment, DESE developed a calendar of offerings tailored to address the specific needs of private schools for the 2023-24 school year. The calendar of offerings provided below is designed to optimize the use of ESSA State Activities funds and ensure that the services provided are well aligned with the priorities identified by the nonpublic schools.
DESE is committed to facilitating effective and efficient access to resources, providing equitable opportunities for educational enhancement for all eligible nonpublic schools.
State Level Equitable Services Needs Assessment — FY24
State Level Equitable Services Needs Assessment — FY24 — Summary of Results
WIDA Professional Development — Cultural and Linguistic Needs
Register
Description: WIDA professional development provides great information and strategies to support multilingual learners in Massachusetts public schools. These DESE sponsored courses are available at no cost to participants and are perfect for teams of teachers seeking impactful collaboration to support students' access to rigorous course content. For more information about DESE-sponsored WIDA PD offerings, please contact David Parker.
Type: Virtual
Date(s): Ongoing
Cost: No Cost
Contact: David.E.Parker@mass.gov
Under ESSA, each state must designate an ombudsman to monitor and ensure ESEA equitable services requirements are carried out under both Title I and Title VIII (comprising Titles II-A, III-A, and Title IV-A&B) of the law.
Ombudsman Contact Information: Alex Lilley ESEAequitableservices@mass.gov
Last Updated: July 1, 2024
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149
Voice: (781) 338-3000 TTY: (800) 439-2370
Disclaimer: A reference in this website to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public and does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.