The Policy Minute

BESE approved regulations to allow candidates for teacher licensure to waive or substitute the ComLit MTEL test. It was a one month delay, but passed in time for hundreds of teachers to complete license requirements before the end of the school year. At the April 26, 2026 Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meeting, regulations to allow certain educators to waive (or substitute) the…

DESE has proposed a new set of regulations on disciplinary procedures for students with disabilities. Spoiler: the language and procedures have existed under IDEA so there isn’t much that is new-new. As part of the 2025 supplemental state budget, specifically under Section 30, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is direct to add language under Section 3 of MA G.L. Ch. 71B to…

DESE has proposed regulations with new standards for individuals who provide translation and interpretation services in Massachusetts public schools. As part of the Protect Education Equity Act language that was passed in 2025 and outlined in the BESE February 18, 2026 memo on the proposed amendments, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education proposed regulations that establish…

It’s complicated, folks. DESE released updated Guidance on implementing the new regulations for time out and seclusion practices in schools. School based educators are concerned these regulations will restrict or limit how classroom management practices are used. Let’s take a look at what the new documents do – and do not – require schools to implement next year. Background In case you missed…

DESE is seeking feedback on proposed changes to the Guidelines for Educator Preparation Program Approval. The new language includes resources for Professional license programs, Endorsement programs and expectations for hybrid/virtual programs. The Educator Effectiveness team at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is currently revising the 2023 Guidelines for Educator Preparation…

Waiving an MTEL test for teacher licensure? Not so fast. But do take a look at the proposal to allow substitutions for some of the state-specific requirements for a license. The proposed amendments to 603 CMR 7.00 include both a number of technical edits, the exciting parts of the proposed changes (yes, we said EXCITING!) are the sections that will add new pathways for meeting the academic…

A draft of DESE’s rubric for evaluating curricular materials and professional development on antisemitism and societal bias prevention is open for public comment through December 1, 2025. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is collecting public comment on a draft of the Antisemitism and Societal Bias Prevention Curriculum and Professional Development Rubric. Public comment may…

Take a look at the pipeline for licensed Reading Specialist teachers. We are starting off the school year with charts exploring reading and literacy education issues. Welcome back to #DataVizDay! Massachusetts offers a Reading Specialist Teacher license. Which requires advanced qualifications and professional experience. Using the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s License…

The definitions for time-out, seclusion and the descriptions of rooms and spaces used for time-out are all up for changes as part of public comments on the underlying regulations. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is proposing amendments to 603 CMR 46.00 Prevention of Physical Restraint and Requirements If Used and 603 CMR 18.00 Program and Safety Standards for Approved Public…

It is Public Comment Szn and teacher licensure regulations are part of the party. Public comment is now open for changes including a new name for the health education license, modification of the 12-credit requirement and the permanent adoption of the MTEL alternatives. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is proposing amendments to 603 CMR 4.00 Educator Licensure and Preparation…

Round two of proposed regulatory changes impacting the admissions process for vocational schools are out for public comment. The proposed changes includes lottery system, terminology updates and middle school student outreach language. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is proposing amendments to 603 CMR 4.00 Vocational Technical Education. Well, the regulations soon to be…

Public comment is open through April 4 ,2025 on proposed changes to the regulations related to high school graduation requirements in Massachusetts. Following the victory in 2024 on Question 2 to eliminate the MCAS test as a high school graduation requirement, the Department of Elementary and Secondary education is now required to make amendments to the regulations on the competency…

Public comments on proposed amendments to the school medication administration regulations are due February 13, 2025. The proposed language will update language, refines procedure for administration of medications and create a process for schools to administer opioid antagonists. The Department of Public Health has released a set of proposed amendments related to the administration of…

Registration is now open! While we can’t answer all the questions, we will do our best to make sure you have the information you need to apply, advance and renew your Massachusetts educator license. The Massachusetts Teachers Association Division of Training and Professional Learning, in collaboration with the Center for Education Policy + Practice are back at it with the first four dates for…

The search process for a new Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education in Massachusetts is underway. Bookmark this one-click stop for updates, opportunities to participate and public events. The formal public search process for a new Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education is run by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. If past practice is any indication, we could…

It’s charter season for all those who celebrate! The 2025 fiscal year brings us 19 charter schools seeking a renewal of their charter, 7 schools seeking expansions, 1 school surrendering its charter and 0 applications for new charter schools or commonwealth virtual schools. All applications to expand, renew and open new charter schools in Massachusetts have been submitted to the Department of…

PRISM I applications to fund literacy instruction are open! Local Association leaders have a seat at the table in planning and supporting the use of PRISM I funds professional learning, staffing, tiered systems of support and more. As part of Literacy Launch, the first cycle of Partnership for Reading Success in Massachusetts (PRISM I) grants are now open for district applications. Approximately…