Office of the Commissioner

Commissioner's Weekly Update

2025

March 10, 2025

  1. Board Preview
  2. Picture of the Week: Whittier Tech ESOL Welding Program
  3. MyCAP Grant Awards
  4. IMplement MA: HQIM Implementation Learning Series
  5. New Grant for Computer Science PD and Devices
  6. Attorney General Challenges Termination of Teacher Preparation Grants

March 3, 2025

  1. Board Recap
  2. Picture of the Week: Black Empowerment Assembly at Boston Arts Academy
  3. Commitment to Equal Access to Education
  4. Financial Aid Sessions for High School Seniors
  5. Advanced Placement Success
  6. Comprehensive Health and Physical Education Webinars
  7. Educational Stability Office Hours on Transportation
  8. Performance Assessment for Leaders (PAL) Panel Members Sought
  9. Innovation Career Pathway Grants
  10. Behavioral and Mental Health Services Grants

February 24, 2025

  1. Board Preview
  2. Picture of the Week: Black History Month Celebration at Worcester Technical High School
  3. Instructional Planning and Observation Tool Collection Feedback
  4. Supporting Newcomer Students
  5. MSBA Grant Program and Heat Pump Funding
  6. Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Opportunities
  7. School Choice Participation Survey 2025-26 School Year

February 18, 2025

  1. Board Recap
  2. Picture of the Week: Financial Aid Road Show in Athol
  3. Members Needed for Grade 8 Civics MCAS Standard Setting Panel

February 10, 2025

  1. Board Preview
  2. Photo of the Week: Southbridge Teacher Wins Milken Award
  3. Supporting All Students, Including LGBTQ Students
  4. District Leadership in the Age of AI Learning Cohort
  5. Early College Pep Rallies
  6. Feedback Sought on Updated Guidelines for Induction and Mentoring
  7. For Your Info
    • Digital Learning Day

February 3, 2025

  1. Board Recap
  2. Pictures of the Week: School Counselor of the Year
  3. 2024 School and District Report Cards
  4. Chapter 74 Nonresident Student Tuition Program Webinar
  5. New Data Science Teacher Professional Learning Opportunities
  6. OpenSciEd Elementary Spring Leadership Institute
  7. For Your Info
    • Healthy Youth Summit
    • Massachusetts Child and Family Tax Credit

January 27, 2025

  1. Board Preview
  2. Picture of the Week: Secretary Tutwiler named a Project 351 Service Hero
  3. Guidance Regarding K-12 Schools' Obligations to Protect Students and Their Information
  4. New Toolkit on Cell Phones and Social Media
  5. K-12 Statewide Graduation Council
  6. Comprehensive Health and Physical Education PD
  7. FAFSA and MASFA Reminder
  8. Registration Open for Spring 2025 Civics Project Showcase
  9. 2025 Instructional Prioritization Institute
  10. Agriculture Youth Council Accepting Applications
  11. Massachusetts School Building Authority Grant Program
  12. Medication Administration Regulations for Public and Non-Public Schools

January 21, 2025

  1. Six Massachusetts Teachers Receive Mathematics and Science Awards
  2. Picture of the Week: School Construction in Lawrence
  3. Vouchers for Digital Literacy and Computer Science MTEL Review Course
  4. OpenSciEd Elementary Spring Leadership Institute
  5. Survey for DESE Organizational Review

January 13, 2025

  1. FY26 Genocide Education and Civics Teaching and Learning Grants Now Available
  2. Picture of the Week: Family Creative Computing and Robotics Night in Somerville
  3. Survey for DESE Organizational Review
  4. MEFA Pathway for Work-Based Learning
  5. Work-Based Learning Resources and Resource Development Grant
  6. Nominate an Educator for 2026 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year
  7. Early College Updates
  8. For Your Info:
    • Prevention and intervention programs for children and youth who are neglected, delinquent, or at-risk
    • Free AI literacy webinar

January 6, 2025

  1. Board Recap
  2. Picture of the Week: Fifth graders at Prospect Hill Academy Charter School in Somerville learn about government
  3. Upholding the Rights of Immigrant Students to Enroll in School
  4. Grant Opportunity about Elevating Student Voice and Well-Being
  5. Family Engagement to Support Educational Stability
  6. Survey about DESE
  7. January Updates from the Early Learning Team
  8. Free, In-Person Civics Workshops
  9. Mental Health Framework
  10. For Your Info:
    • USED Engage Every Student Recognition Program
    • USED Head Start Performance Standards

2024

December 16, 2024

  1. Board Preview
  2. Picture of the Week: Parthum Elementary in Lawrence
  3. Update on Competency Determination
  4. Digital and Media Literacy Education
  5. Schools Selected for 2025 State YRBS and Youth Health Survey
  6. Registration Open for Student Government Day
  7. For Your Info:
    • USED guidance on educator diversity and strategic use of Title II funds
    • USED guidance on student devices

December 9, 2024

  1. Teacher of the Year
  2. Career Technical Programs Expanding
  3. FAFSA Updates
  4. MA FRESH CORP Grant
  5. ESEA Distinguished Schools

December 2, 2024

  1. Commissioner Search Update
  2. Pictures of the Week: A Pre-Thanksgiving Feast in Lowell
  3. Elementary School Principals and Early Childhood Coordinators Regional Network Sessions
  4. Accountability and Assistance Advisory Council to Meet
  5. FY25 Teacher Diversification Grant is Open
  6. For Your Info: Budgeting and Allocating Resources in Tough Times

November 25, 2024

  1. Board Recap
  2. Picture of the Week: Thanking Veterans in Haverhill
  3. FAFSA Now Open
  4. Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program
  5. Help Develop Classroom Science Performance Assessments
  6. "Digging Deeper" Pilot Program
  7. Aspiring Principal Fellowship Open for Applications
  8. Medical and Behavioral Health Emergency Response Plans
  9. For Your Info:
    • Educational stability and success for students in foster care
    • RMV Offering CDL Exam in Spanish and Portuguese

November 18, 2024

  1. Board Meetings
  2. Pictures of the Week: Aviation Offerings in Westfield
  3. Intent to Seek a Waiver from the 1 Percent Limit on Alternate Assessments
  4. Save the Date for Spring Civics Project Showcases
  5. Power of Presence Templates
  6. Name a Snowplow
  7. For Your Info:
    • GBH and PBS LearningMedia open house
    • Opioid grant
    • Preventing and responding to sexual and dating violence

November 12, 2024

  1. Board to Meet
  2. Picture of the Week: Worcester Students as Election Volunteers
  3. Looking Ahead
  4. Federal Student Aid ID Reminder
  5. Call For Classroom Examples of Deeper Learning
  6. Instructional Planning and Observation Tools
  7. Early College Statewide Student Summit
  8. Public Schools/Charter Schools Waiver Forms
  9. Vaccination Information
  10. For Your Info: Engage Every Student Recognition Program

November 4, 2024

  1. Board Recap
  2. Picture of the Week: Holyoke Officials at Board Meeting
  3. Commissioner Search Update
  4. Early Learning Updates and Opportunities
  5. Public Health Models for Gun Violence Prevention Grant Program
  6. Updates on Addressing Chronic Absenteeism
  7. DESE Resource Corner: Paraeducator E-Learning Modules
  8. Apply Now for the Arts & Cultural Vitality Grant Program
  9. Increases in AP Participation and Performance
  10. For Your Info:
    • EPA Clean School Bus program
    • OneGoal Massachusetts Partnership Summit

October 28, 2024

  1. Board Preview
  2. Picture of the Week: Massachusetts STEM Week
  3. Apply Now for the Arts & Cultural Vitality Grant
  4. Resources for Teaching the 2024 Election and Aftermath
  5. Members Sought for Student Opportunity Act Data Advisory Commission
  6. Dropout Prevention and Re-Engagement Network Meeting
  7. Save the Date for Student Government Day 2025
  8. New Members Sought for Educational Personnel Advisory Council
  9. DESE Resource Corner: Resources relative to antisemitism and societal bias
  10. For Your Info: National Assessment Governing Board

October 21, 2024

  1. Welcoming and Enrolling Newcomers
  2. Picture of the Week: Missituk Elementary School in Medford
  3. Comprehensive Health and Physical Education Webinar Opportunities
  4. DESE Resource Corner: Updated EdTech Strategic Planning Guide
  5. Due Date for U.S. Presidential Scholars Nominations Extended
  6. Advancing Representation in Higher Education
  7. COVID-19 Tests
  8. For Your Info:
    • National School Bus Safety Week
    • Join a fellowship program for teachers focused on equitable change
    • STEM/CS/CTE enrichment resources for Massachusetts teachers

October 15, 2024

  1. Webinars on Registered Teacher Apprenticeships
  2. Pictures of the Week: Chelsea Student Takes Flight
  3. Accountability and Assistance Advisory Council to Meet
  4. Western Mass. Early College Recruitment Pep Rally
  5. Induction and Mentoring Advisory Group
  6. Apply to be a Green Ribbon School
  7. Reminder to Report on Budget for SROs, Mental Health Staff
  8. Advanced Learning Pilot
  9. DESE Resource Corner: New Special Education Data Dashboard
  10. "Your Presence is Powerful" Call for Submissions
  11. New Guidance and Resources for Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education
  12. COVID-19 Tests
  13. For Your Info: October is Farm to School Month

October 7, 2024

  1. Vouchers for Digital Literacy and Computer Science MTEL Review Course
  2. Picture of the Week: Paul A. Dever School in Boston
  3. Teacher Diversification Professional Learning Community
  4. Reminder about U.S. Presidential Scholars Program Nominations
  5. Webinars on Class of 2025 Purple Star School Award Designation
  6. Hate and Bias Guidance for School Leaders
  7. Comprehensive Health and Physical Education PD Opportunities
  8. Charter School Amendment Requests and Applications for Renewal
  9. AP and IB Exam Fee Subsidies

September 30, 2024

  1. Board Recap
  2. Pictures of the Week: Reducing Chronic Absenteeism at Boston's O'Donnell Elementary School
  3. 2024 MCAS and Accountability Results
  4. Welcoming and Enrolling Newcomers
  5. DESE Resource Corner: New Mass Literacy for Families and Communities resource
  6. Upgrades to the Security Portal's Dropbox Central
  7. Announcing CTE Program Approval Process for SY2026
  8. Massachusetts Teacher STEM Fair
  9. College Access Reminders
  10. Addressing Hate and Bias in K-12 Schools
  11. For Your Info: Connect Science: Service-Learning Training Program

September 23, 2024

  1. Board to Meet
  2. Picture of the Week: Literacy Launch at Clinton Elementary School
  3. Partnership for Reading Success – Massachusetts (PRISM I)
  4. DESE Instructional Planning and Observation Tools Collection SY24-25 Pilot & Revision
  5. SEL, Behavioral and Mental Health Competitive Grant Opportunity
  6. State Receives Highest Rating for Special Education for Sixth Consecutive Year
  7. Adult Education and Family Literacy Week
  8. U.S. Presidential Scholars Program Nomination Guidelines

September 16, 2024

  1. Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness
  2. Pictures of the Week: Worcester Kindergarteners
  3. Civics Pathways Professional Learning
  4. Anti-Hazing Data Collection
  5. U.S. Presidential Scholars Program Nominations
  6. CTE Partnership Grants
  7. For Your Info:
    • Constitution Day
    • Storyshares Story of the Year Writing Contest
    • Pedestrian safety and school bus safety awareness

September 9, 2024

  1. InSPIRED Fellowship
  2. Picture of the Week: Back to School in Stoughton
  3. New Members Sought for Digital Learning Advisory Council
  4. Leadership Network on Culturally & Linguistically Sustaining Practices
  5. Registration Open for U.S. Senate Youth Scholarship Program
  6. MA FRESH Grant
  7. Teacher Diversification Professional Learning Community
  8. For Your Info:
    • Loan repayment for Expanded Behavioral Health
    • Join a new Designing School Wellness Leadership Task Force

September 3, 2024

  1. ELA/Literacy HQIM Communities of Practice Implementation Network
  2. Picture of the Week: METCO Back-to-School Fair
  3. Multilingual Education Grant Opportunities
  4. Massachusetts Agriculture Literacy Month
  5. Massachusetts Dyslexia Institute
  6. DESE Resource Corner: Expanding spoken language interpretation in schools
  7. FAFSA Update
  8. CTE Schools' Access to Middle Schools
  9. Student Opportunity Act (SOA) Plans Posted

August 26, 2024

  1. Your Presence Is Powerful
  2. Pictures of the Week: Chelsea Learning Materials
  3. FY25 Rethinking Discipline Competitive Grant Due Date Extended
  4. 2024 Fall PD Provider Registry Application
  5. EdTech Peer Learning Cohort 2024-2025
  6. Training Opportunity for Mandated Reporters
  7. For Your Info: Call for student performing artists

August 19, 2024

  1. Computer Science Education Grants
  2. Pictures of the Week: Gardening in Webster
  3. EWIS Virtual Trainings
  4. Massachusetts Family School Partnership Initiative
  5. Draft Culturally and Linguistically Sustaining Communication and Literacy Skills Framework
  6. U.S. Presidential Scholars Program
  7. Updated District Standards and Indicators
  8. Early Literacy Consortium Grant
  9. DESE Resources: Catalog of Aligned Supports

August 12, 2024

  1. 2024 Massachusetts History Teacher of the Year
  2. Picture of the Week: 21st Century Summer Program in Fitchburg
  3. Join the Upcoming Equity in Action Cohort
  4. Evaluate and Select High-Quality Instructional Materials Network
  5. Hate Crimes Prevention Grant
  6. FY25 Rethinking Discipline Competitive Grant
  7. Reporting on SROs and Mental, Social, and Emotional Health Support Staff

August 5, 2024

  1. Superintendent's Checklist
  2. Pictures of the Week: Reducing Chronic Absenteeism in Williamsburg and Auburn
  3. Supplemental Low-Income Data Collection Webinars
  4. Member Sought for Racial Imbalance Advisory Council
  5. FY25 Rethinking Discipline Competitive Grant
  6. STEM High-Quality Instructional Materials PD and Purchase Opportunity
  7. FY25 Budget Signed
  8. Life Sciences Workforce Development and STEM Education Grants Awarded
  9. For Your Info:
    • Alternative pathways opportunity
    • EEE risk

July 29, 2024

  1. Members Sought for Accountability and Assistance Advisory Council
  2. Picture of the Week: Mural of Student Artwork
  3. Competitive Grant FY25 Rethinking Discipline Initiative

July 22, 2024

  1. Partnership for Reading Success – Massachusetts (PRISM) Grants: Apply Now!
  2. Picture of the Week: Summer Child Nutrition Program in Westborough
  3. DESE Seeking MA Educators and School System Leaders for K-12 AI Task Force
  4. New Members Sought for Digital Learning Advisory Council
  5. Members Sought for the Career Technical Education (CTE) Advisory Council
  6. Early College Data Story
  7. Important Updates to CURATE Coming Fall 2024
  8. For Your Info:
    • NASA TechRise Student Challenge

July 15, 2024

  1. High-Quality Instructional Materials Professional Development and Purchase Opportunity
  2. Picture of the Week: Lawrence Public Schools
  3. Listening Sessions on Early Education & Care
  4. Green School Works Webinar
  5. Healey-Driscoll Administration Kicks Off 10th Year of the Summer Nights Program at Ryan Playground in Mattapan
  6. DESE Resources: Catalog of Aligned Supports

July 8, 2024

  1. Updated Model Rubric for Classroom Teacher Evaluation
  2. Picture of the Week: Bristol Community College Adult Education
  3. Highlighting First Year Successes of State-funded Universal Free School Meals
  4. Hate Crimes Prevention Grant
  5. For Your Info:
    • Addressing harassment based on race, color, or national origin
    • Educators Night at Shakespeare on the Common

July 1, 2024

  1. Safe and Supportive Schools Competitive Grant
  2. Picture of the Week: Early College Southbridge Medical Careers Explorer Summer Program
  3. EEE Planning for Schools, Camps, and Recreational Programs
  4. OPTIC Webinar
  5. Comprehensive Health and Physical Education Summer Institute
  6. New Multilingual Education Directors Orientation
  7. Workshop on Facilitating the Student-Led Civics Project
  8. DESE Resource Corner: WIDA self-paced workshops
  9. For Your Info: Present at the MassCUE 2024 Fall Conference

June 24, 2024

  1. Board Recap
  2. Picture of the Week: Welcoming Mural at Brockton's Angelo School
  3. Members Sought for Gifted and Talented Advisory Council
  4. Loan Repayment Opportunity for Educators

June 17, 2024

  1. Board to Meet
  2. Picture of the Week: Pioneer Charter School of Science II Graduation
  3. Catalog of Aligned Supports
  4. Competitive FY25 Safe and Supportive Schools Grant
  5. Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Sessions
  6. Reminder on Restraint Reporting and End-of-the-Year Certification
  7. E2C Hub Community of Practice for Data Users
  8. Coming Soon! Partnership for Reading Success – Massachusetts Grants
  9. Skills Capital Grants

June 10, 2024

  1. Summer Food Support
  2. Pictures of the Week: Civics Project Showcases
  3. Appleseeds Grants
  4. Accountability and Assistance Advisory Council to Meet
  5. Evaluate and Select High-Quality Instruction Materials Network
  6. Openings Available for Learning and Coaching Opportunities for Teams
  7. Welcoming Newcomers Virtual Workshop
  8. Districts Win Federal Funding for School Buses
  9. DPH Summer Safety Guidance

June 3, 2024

  1. Principal and Teacher Advisory Cabinet 2024-2025 Application
  2. Pictures of the Week: Future Teacher Signing Day ceremonies
  3. 2024 Terrific Tray of the Year Award
  4. Learning Acceleration Network
  5. BRYT Student Mental Health Program
  6. For Your Info:
    • College options for fall
    • Computers for Learning
    • Smithsonian National Education Summit

May 28, 2024

  1. Board Recap
  2. Pictures of the Week: Parent and Student Advisory Groups
  3. Comment on Updated ESSA Plan
  4. 2024 School Health Profiles Survey Responses Needed
  5. Instructional Leadership Institute
  6. DESE Resource Corner: Resources for arts educators
  7. BRYT Student Mental Health Program
  8. For Your Info: Team Massachusetts at 2024 MATHCOUNTS competition

May 20, 2024

  1. Board to Meet
  2. Picture of the Week: New Bedford's Family Institute for Student Success
  3. 2025 Teacher of the Year Finalists and Semifinalists
  4. Preventing the Spread of Infections in K-12 Schools
  5. Reminder on Restraint Reporting and End of the Year Certification
  6. Federal Resources for Improving Attendance
  7. For Your Info: MASSGrant Plus flyer

May 13, 2024

  1. Presidential Scholars
  2. Pictures of the Week
  3. Educational Stability Office Hours
  4. SY24-25 Professional Learning and Coaching Opportunities for Teams
  5. Innovation Career Pathways Workshop for Prospective Applicants
  6. Members Sought for EL/Bilingual Education Advisory Council
  7. For Your Info:
    • Guidance on addressing discrimination
    • Code.org opportunity

May 6, 2024

  1. Board Recap
  2. Picture of the Week: Board at Wellesley High School
  3. Teacher Appreciation Week
  4. National School Nurse Day
  5. Regional Licensure Assistance Centers
  6. Edwin FAFSA Tool Info Session
  7. Deadline Extended to Join State Student Advisory Council
  8. Supporting Additional Learning Time Grant for New 21st CCLC Sites
  9. Feedback Sought on Ed Prep Guidelines
  10. School Choice Participation
  11. Perkins Webinar
  12. Seeking Additional Members for Arts Education Advisory Council

April 29, 2024

  1. Board to Meet
  2. Picture of the Week: "Annie Jr." in Lowell
  3. Green Ribbon Schools
  4. Revalidate with MassHealth to Continue in the School-Based Medicaid Program
  5. Paid Teacher Leadership Opportunity in Civics Education
  6. Vote for the Terrific Tray of the Year
  7. LGBTQ+ Youth Leadership Award Opportunity
  8. FAFSA Updates
  9. STEM Summit

April 22, 2024

  1. Future Teacher Signing Days
  2. Picture of the Week: Nashoba Valley Technical High School Groundbreaking
  3. Skills Capital Grants
  4. Feedback Sought on Updates to the District Standards and Indicators
  5. Early Learning Virtual Lunch and Learn Sessions
  6. Virtual High Dosage Math Tutoring Program
  7. Free Lead in Drinking Water Testing Available for Massachusetts Schools
  8. For Your Info: Final Title IX regulations

April 16, 2024

  1. Changes to ELAR
  2. Picture of the Week: Student Government Day
  3. Vacation Week Activities from DCR
  4. Massachusetts Aspiring Principal Fellowship
  5. Trainings on Emergency Plans and Behavioral Threat Assessment
  6. CTE Partnership Planning and Implementation Grants
  7. Nominate a Teacher for Mass. History Teacher of the Year
  8. Interpreter in Education Training
  9. For Your Info: Renew America's Schools Program

April 8, 2024

  1. Early College Designation Info Session
  2. Pictures of the Week: Innovation Career Pathways
  3. Support with the College Financial Aid Process
  4. Accountability and Assistance Advisory Council to Meet
  5. Trainings on Emergency Plans and Behavioral Threat Assessment
  6. Updated Special Education Procedures for PRS and PSM
  7. Preschool Partnership Grants Announced
  8. Instructional Leadership Institute

April 1, 2024

  1. Board Recap
  2. Picture of the Week: Boston Collegiate Charter School Career Symposium
  3. Massachusetts Aspiring Principal Fellowship
  4. Updated Respiratory Virus Guidance from DPH
  5. Regional Trainings on Addressing Hate in School Sports
  6. World Language Proficiency Academy 2024
  7. Chapter 74 Nonresident Student Tuition
  8. Feedback Sought on Updates to the District Standards and Indicators
  9. For Your Info: Advancing Early College

March 25, 2024

  1. Board to Meet
  2. Picture of the Week: Coalition on Adult Basic Education 2024 conference
  3. Three New Early College Programs Announced
  4. Pilot of Approaches to Play and Learning/Executive Function Resource for Grades 1-3
  5. Paraeducator and Administrator Listening Sessions
  6. Early Learning (PK-3rd Grade) Spring Book Group Discussion
  7. Park Serve Day
  8. For Your Info:
    • Data story on chronic absenteeism
    • Mental health student expression contest

March 18, 2024

  1. DESE Special Education and Other Staffing Changes
  2. Pictures of the Week: Acceleration Academies in Chelsea
  3. School Nurse Honorees
  4. Updates for EdTech Leaders
  5. FAFSA Updates
  6. Digital Literacy and Computer Science Summit
  7. For Your Info: Engage Every Student recognition program

March 11, 2024

  1. New Expectations for Teacher Preparation in Early Literacy
  2. Picture of the Week: Education Secretariat at Ways and Means Hearing
  3. Updated Perkins V State Plan
  4. Last Chance to Register for Civics Project Showcases
  5. Addressing Hate in School Sports
  6. Agriculture Youth Council Accepting Applications
  7. FAFSA and College Affordability Updates
  8. Mandated Reporter Training
  9. For Your Info: Connect Science training

Last Updated: March 11, 2025

Russell D. Johnston
Russell D. Johnston
Acting Commissioner of
Elementary and Secondary Education
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