20 Years Later M.A.S.S. Executive Institute Mitchell D. Chester, Commissioner July 18, 2014

Evolving Context Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 2  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

More than a decade of improvement % proficient or higher on grade 10 MCAS

Narrowing the 10 th Grade Low Income Achievement Gap ( ) English Language Arts Mathematics Low Income: +24 Not Low Income: +16 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: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 7  Strengthening curriculum, instruction, & assessment  Improving educator effectiveness  Turning around the lowest performing districts & schools  Using technology and data to support teaching & learning

The Department’s goal is to prepare all students for success after high school by: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 8  Strengthening curriculum, instruction, & assessment  Improving educator effectiveness  Turning around the lowest performing districts & schools  Using technology and data to support teaching & learning

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) Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 10  Two-Year “Test Drive”  Spring 2014: PARCC Field Test  Spring 2015: PARCC/MCAS Choice  Fall 2015: State Board decision  Technology Implications

PARCC / MCAS Early Decision Update MCASPARCC #%#% Grades %18060% Grades 9 and/or 11 N/A 6728% Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education districts, charter schools, & vocational technical schools registered a grades 3-8 choice 67 districts administering grades 9/11 PARCC tests

The Department’s goal is to prepare all students for success after high school by: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 12  Strengthening curriculum, instruction, & assessment  Improving educator effectiveness  Turning around the lowest performing districts & schools  Using technology and data to support teaching & learning

Educator Effectiveness: Raising the Bar Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 13 Recruit Prepare License Hire Assess Growth & Development

DDMs Implementation Plans Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 14

DDMs Implementation Plans Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Plans reviewed by ESE 41 Ratified DDM-related agreements 8 Using alternative approach (e.g., MOU) 47 Expecting agreement in near future 127 Working toward agreement 21 Negotiations stalled/have not started 24 Not reported 33 Not applicable (e.g., charter schools)

DDM Resources (  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: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 17  Strengthening curriculum, instruction, & assessment  Improving educator effectiveness  Turning around the lowest performing districts & schools  Using technology and data to support teaching & learning

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: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 19  Strengthening curriculum, instruction, & assessment  Improving educator effectiveness  Turning around the lowest performing districts & schools  Using technology and data to support teaching & learning

Digital Learning Opportunities Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 21  Multiple approaches  Blended Learning  On-line Courses  Commonwealth of MA Virtual Schools TEC Connections Academy  Technology upgrades  21 st Century Classrooms  Federal Communications Commission E-Rate $2 Billion Commitment  State Bond Bill

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  Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

More than a decade of improvement % proficient or higher on grade 10 MCAS