On this brutally hot day in Massachusetts, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is having their June meeting. You can find their agenda here. The livestream will appear over here.
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| Should you wonder if DESE is backing down: no. |
I will update this as they go.
Looks like there are three remote members today
Public comment:
SMEC (Southeastern Massachusetts Education Collaborative) Executive Director: asks them not to vote in favor of regulations (I think? She's super soft)
grave concern to those of us in the field
"for those in field...inability to separate a child from others will create an environment that is unsafe and where children cannot learn"
can be used only if documented history of student hurting themselves or others
have to have documentation for medical professionals
"don't know where you're going to find these...we can't get children into counseling now"
"how can we allow a parent to decide" if student needs to be separate
"already a lot of kids sitting at home because they can't find placements"
urge you vote against in current form, form a committee of practioners
President of Massachusetts administrators of special education
dramatic increase in disregulation in students
use of time out practices is critical in behavior intervention
unintended consequence of increasing restraints and intervention of crisis units and law enforcement
add language: schools must include training in time out strategies in proper use of time out
proposed regulation don't require training
unclear permissable timeout language
Emily Howland: shared trauma inflicted on son
impacts countless families across Massachusetts
proposed regs don't go far enough; research shows increases behavior
active seek to provide alternatives
comment from staff on how to proceed without: "uncertain how we can allow this fear to dictate our policies"
believe history will look back on use with "disbelief and regret"
asking that you not lose sight of our responsibility to be the change for these children
attorney, Disability Law Center: believe should not be allowed in Massachusetts
Alternatives work; address student behavior in schools without use
DESE now has a master list of vendors that can train staff on alternatives
Department said plan to provide guidance and funding opportunities
will be critical in moving away from these practices; need support to implement
improving school climate: attendance rates improve; students spend more time learning; less staff turnover
Kariss McLaughlin: ways we can ensure all students get the education that they need
"want us to stop saying" we're number one until the achievement gap is closed
a unit to look how integration truly takes place and how it can work
hope new Commissioner has a plan with a one year end date on how we can address this for children
"think we're going to have a real problem"
superintendent group said it's going to be hard work; ask what did you think it was going to be
they're making excuses
"have to do better for these children...can't give yourself five years or ten years to do it"
we're just again blowing past time limits again today
students "are the victim"
measurement that is not cumbersome
want to see staff do this work, not consultants
asks Moriarty if he is leaving (work on the street is he is)
Gerry Mroz: belief that educational equity requires some students to be denied opportunity
this is the monthly 'gifted' testimony
believes DESE should weigh in on Boston exam schools needing to expands
what gifted reports imply for state policy efforts
structural harms against students by the Department
"perhaps it's time to discuss professional competencies at DESE itself"
claim that local control leaves them powerless to promote excellence for all students
Craven is now naming students and I don't know why; oh, they're testifying about the Biggest Winner Math Challenge, which appears to have been cut for this summer? These are the students who were in it who would have been working for it this year
graduate of Milton Academy from Taunton who went Taunton K-8
in 2021 invited to math challenge: "the place to nerd out"
programs "provide the space for students to be enthusiastically themselves"
"how to exist within the space professionally"
"students who are eager to learn and grow, students like me"
program not able to run this summer, not alone in disappointment
think of each of the young people who need the program
student at Haverhill High: "every day I walk" through a building filled with stories
education should be empowering
found mentorship, community, and purpose
didn't put us in boxes; asked what can you grow into
"where leadership felt possible and contagious"
"not just for students who want to pursue math"
asking for more opportunities like this, where teens are given the chance to lead and to grow
Prospect Hill Charter School student:
constantly expected to achieve good grades
"remind that I was seen and heard even if others undermined my values"
connect with other gifted students from throughout the state
realized my talents were not just for me
defunded of program "felt like a slap in the face"
"I lost a chance to experience what my team leaders went through"
"must not allow gifted youth to feel undervalued"
Moriarty questions if making a motion on this is permissible under OML--NO!--but now is speaking about effectiveness of program
"encourage that this be resumed as soon as possible"
Graduate of Revere High, member of gifted advisory
"realized this space is where I was meant to be"
"have spent four summers growing up alongside this program"
had experiences unlike other first jobs
need opportunities that encourage curiosity, growth
Craven: last regular meeting of the year
funding of reading curriculum
high dosage tutoring
Commissioner hiring a "generational effort" of the Board
thanks staff at DESE for carrying on during "a year of real change"
says it has been a pleasure to work with Moriarty
Moriarty who is leaving (he has termed out) speaking on his experience, starting with Holyoke School Committee in 2000
notes his position is term-limited (aha! so are others! One wonders if there is anything to come on both Stewart and Craven's seats, as their terms are already up (Moriarty's is up in September))
education they received was instrumental
state literacy plan: "takes patience"
"going to require regulatory work going forward, some of which we don't have the statutory authority for at this time" (which would argue that maybe they don't require regulatory work?)
have used stealth and stunts to smuggle reading into a lot of places it maybe didn't really belong
imponderable increase of antisemitism
Tutwiler: speaks of Moriarty's service on the Board
MA students and recent graduate detained by ICE
"did not target criminals and did not make our communities safer"
at DESE continue to work closely with AG and others to share information with districts about people's rights
Continue to update about work of agencies as we go forward
Graduation council: meets monthly
have added two additional virtual listening sessions: tomorrow, plus second just for students
Survey closes next week
Commissioner Martinez will be joining as co-chair of council
Martinez will start next Tuesday; has been an honor to serve as interim Commissioner
looking forward to a smooth and successful transition
aspiring principal fellowship; first year
38 completed the fellowship this year
Literacy Launch: several grants; 15 districts received Prism grants; will announce other grants for purchase of curriculum; will kick off first institute which is still open for registration for an public educator who works on early literacy
tutoring grants for fall on early literacy foundational skills for first graders
accelerating review of all educator prep programs
annual award of Mitchell Chester Award; Tutwiler notes that the late Chester's widow is here today
Liz Losee, Director of Educator Effectiveness Policy
commitment to educator effectiveness
shaped RTTT strategy; using research to inform MTEL
emergency teaching licensure and alternative pathways
"when asked for reflections by colleagues and mentees, we were flooded"
recess for photos; for perspective, it is 10:45 and we haven't yet gotten to any agenda items
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