Summer 2020 Special Education Services
Guidance regarding Massachusetts Summer Services for Students with Disabilities
Required Safety Supplies for Re-Opening Schools
Safety Supplies Necessary for Schools to Reopen in the Fall
DESE Updates Guidance on 2019-2020 School Year Requirements
DESE updates guidance on requirements for 2019-2020 school year
Graduation Requirements for Class of 2020
Changes to Massachusetts Graduation Requirements
Massachusetts Schools (Physically) Closed for the Remainder of the School Year
Governor Baker orders schools closed for the school year.
Paying Contractors
DESE expects schools to keep paying for outsourced operational services during closures
Governor Baker Declares A State of Emergency
Massachusetts declares state of emergency in response to COVID-19
Joint Statement Issued Regarding Pre-Employment Transition Services
On January 2, the DESE and the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) issued a joint advisory regarding Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) offered by MRC. The advisory describes the services, who is eligible and how to refer students. MRC offers Pre-ETS to students with disabilities ages 14-21. Additional information about referrals to MRC can be found on [...]
School Corner: Extended Evaluations
The Massachusetts DESE has issued an Advisory on the Extended Evaluations. Administrative Advisory SPED 2019-2 answers questions about the use of extended evaluations and the process when the Team has determined an extended evaluation is appropriate. Along with the Advisory, DESE issued an updated Extended Evaluation Form aligned with the guidance in the Advisory.
Opioid Law and Verbal Screening Tools
On March 14, 2016, Governor Charlie Baker signed into law An Act Relative to Substance Use, Treatment, Education and Prevention. Known as the “Opioid Law,” two sections of the law had a direct impact on public schools. The first amended MGL c. 71, s. 96, which, since 2014, has required public schools to have policies [...]