20 Years Later
M.A.S.S. Executive Institute
Mitchell D. Chester, Commissioner
July 18, 2014
Evolving Context
Globe is Shrinking
 Demands of workplace
Gubernatorial Race
DESE is Evolving
 Brooke Clenchy
 Russell Johnston
Phase-Down of Race to the Top Grant
Chapter 70 Review
2
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
More than a decade of improvement
English Language Arts
Mathematics
Science/Tech/Eng
% proficient or higher on grade 10 MCAS
100%
91%
90%
80%
80%
70%
71%
60%
57%
50%
40%
38%
30%
20%
10%
0%
24%
Narrowing the 10th Grade
Low Income Achievement Gap
(2002 - 2013)
English Language Arts
Low Income: +24
Not Low Income: +16
Mathematics
Low Income: +26
Not Low Income: +20
High School Completion
Improving
• Graduation rates at all-time high
• 4-year, on-time
• 5-year completion
• Drop-out rates lowest in decades
• Groups with largest gaps made some of
strongest improvement
High School Completion
Improving
• Graduation rates at all-time high
• 4-year, on-time
• 5-year completion
• Drop-out rates lowest in decades
• Groups with largest gaps made some of
strongest improvement
• Despite graduation rate improvement:
• Many graduates placed in non-credit-bearing
courses
• Many employers report graduates ill-prepared
The Department’s goal is to prepare all
students for success after high school by:
Strengthening curriculum, instruction,
& assessment
Improving educator effectiveness
Turning around the lowest performing
districts & schools
Using technology and data to
support teaching & learning
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
7
The Department’s goal is to prepare all
students for success after high school by:
Strengthening curriculum, instruction,
& assessment
Improving educator effectiveness
Turning around the lowest performing
districts & schools
Using technology and data to
support teaching & learning
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
8
Curricular & Instructional
Supports
Resources & PD
 Model curriculum units
 WGBH/PBS Learning Media
Working with special populations
 Sheltered English Immersion training
 SWD – shifting focus to outcomes from primarily
procedural compliance
Linking C & I, educator evaluation, & PD
initiatives
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
9
Partnership for Assessment of
Readiness for College & Careers
(PARCC)
Two-Year “Test Drive”
 Spring 2014: PARCC Field Test
 Spring 2015: PARCC/MCAS Choice
 Fall 2015: State Board decision
Technology Implications
10
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
PARCC / MCAS
Early Decision Update
 302 districts, charter schools, & vocational
technical schools registered a grades 3-8 choice
 67 districts administering grades 9/11 PARCC tests
MCAS
PARCC
#
%
#
%
Grades 3-8
122
40%
180
60%
Grades 9
and/or 11
N/A
N/A
67
28%
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
11
The Department’s goal is to prepare all
students for success after high school by:
Strengthening curriculum, instruction,
& assessment
Improving educator effectiveness
Turning around the lowest performing
districts & schools
Using technology and data to
support teaching & learning
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
12
Educator Effectiveness:
Raising the Bar
Growth & Development
Hire
Recruit
License
Assess
Prepare
13
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
DDMs Implementation Plans
14
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
DDMs Implementation Plans
301
41
8
47
127
Plans reviewed by ESE
Ratified DDM-related agreements
Using alternative approach (e.g., MOU)
Expecting agreement in near future
Working toward agreement
21
Negotiations stalled/have not started
24
Not reported
33
Not applicable (e.g., charter schools)
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
15
DDM Resources
(http://www.doe.mass.edu/edeval/ddm/)
Implementation Briefs
 short targeted guidance documents
 topics include scoring & parameter setting, special
education, SISP
Model Contract Language
Guidance for CVTE schools/districts
Assessment literacy tutorials
100s of Sample Assessments
 third-party reviewed
 both open-source and commercial offerings
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
16
The Department’s goal is to prepare all
students for success after high school by:
Strengthening curriculum, instruction,
& assessment
Improving educator effectiveness
Turning around the lowest performing
districts & schools
Using technology and data to
support teaching & learning
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
17
Accountability & Assistance
Level 5 district & schools
 Lawrence
 4 schools
• Boston (2), Holyoke (1), New Bedford (1)
Professionalization through new approaches
 Time
 Compensation
 work rules
Level 4 schools
 Most making good progress
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
18
The Department’s goal is to prepare all
students for success after high school by:
Strengthening curriculum, instruction,
& assessment
Improving educator effectiveness
Turning around the lowest performing
districts & schools
Using technology and data to
support teaching & learning
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
19
Digital Learning Opportunities
Multiple approaches
 Blended Learning
 On-line Courses
 Commonwealth of MA Virtual Schools
• TEC Connections Academy
• MAVA@Greenfield
Technology upgrades
 21st Century Classrooms
 Federal Communications Commission E-Rate
• $2 Billion Commitment
 State Bond Bill
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
21
Serving Up Breakfast
The Massachusetts School Breakfast
Challenge (MSBC)
MA Breakfast: The Challenge
More than half (57%) of students who
qualify for free or reduced lunch:
 do not eat school breakfast on a given
school day
 Massachusetts 44th in low-income student
breakfast participation
23
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
MA Breakfast: The Solution
DESE & MA School Breakfast Challenge
partners are:
challenging school districts to increase school
breakfast participation by 35%
recognition & awards from January 2013 through
December 2014
http://www.maschoolbreakfast.org
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
% proficient or higher on grade 10 MCAS
More than a decade of improvement