Massachusetts' Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) undertook improvements in arts standards following the publication of the National Core Arts Standards and adopted revised standards, the Massachusetts Arts Curriculum Framework (the Framework) in 2019. In spring 2023, DESE contracted with RMC Research to conduct a third party,…

Across the country, districts are choosing to #GoOpen and transitioning to the use of openly licensed educational resources to improve student learning in their schools. Openly licensed educational resources enable districts to reallocate significant funds currently spent on inflexible, static learning materials to resources and activities that…

The number of students experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts has grown substantially over the last few years. More than 31,000 Massachusetts students experienced homelessness during the 2023-2024 school year, a 20 percent increase from the previous year. We know homelessness puts an immense strain on child development and that experiencing…

The Developmental Strategies for College Readiness and Success Resource Guide was produced by the Education Commission of the States and the Southern Regional Education Board for the "Countdown to 2015: Developmental Strategies to Advance Readiness in the Common Core Era" convening held April 21-23, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The…

Part of the Project CAREER guidance component, this manual was created to assist educators in understanding and effectively using the "Dictionary of Occupational Titles" (DOT). The manual is essentially a workbook of exercises in DOT utilization. Materials excerpted from Appendixes A and B of DOT, Volume II, are appended. (TA)

Between 1999 and 2003, the Western Massachusetts Writing Project experienced a series of changes that made it question whether it could survive as a writing project site. The convergence of retirement, unexpected death, and withdrawal of long-term financial support forced the existing leadership to develop a process to look deeply into the work of…

Part of the Project CAREER guidance component, this manual provides detailed, step-by-step instructions for preparing career preparation analysis charts called "careerograms," which are visual devices that synthesize information contained in the "Dictionary of Occupational Titles" (DOT) and the "Occupational Outlook…

Part of the Project CAREER guidance component, this manual was developed to provide a resource to educators interested in establishing a center to house informative job and career materials for students. Information presented includes functions of the career resource center, minimum physical and personnel requirements, basic information materials,…

Part of the Project CAREER guidance component, this manual presents career preparation analysis charts called "careerograms," visual devices which synthesize information contained in the "Dictionary of Occupational Titles" (DOT) and the "Occupational Outlook Handbook." Designed for use by counselors of high school…

Media projects in Massachusetts schools are described in a special issue of a Massachusetts Department of Education periodical. Media programs are classified under filmmaking and film study; mass media; television/video; selected media centers and special resources using media. In addition, the guide lists and describes museums, theaters, learning…

This manual, based upon legal requirements and school experiences of Massachusetts, is intended to help get alternative schools off the ground and keep them out of trouble with state and local authorities, though in fact existing alternative schools have had few legal problems thus far. The first section of the manual provides sketches of some…

In order for the potential of cable television to be applied for educational benefit, educators must effectively communicate their priorities and needs to both licensing authorities and cable companies. This guide familiarizes educators and school committees with their options and prepares them to take part in local franchise negotiations. It…

In their 2004 State of the State speeches, the nation's governors cited many issues competing for their attention and their states' resources, including health care, education, crime, and security (Nodine 2004). Among the most compelling challenges were those related to economic development and the ability of a state's workforce to meet the needs…

This resource guide deals with open education at the secondary level. It concentrates on open education schools and programs in the Boston area, as its intended audience is Massachusetts Educators. The "open" concept in education is discussed, and a scale designed to measure the extent to which a given program embodies the open school…