One of the core priorities of the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), articulated in its most recent strategic plan, focuses on educator capacity. In 2012, BESE passed new program approval standards for educator preparation programs across the state. The standards ushered in new expectations for the 80 sponsoring…

In the wake of the Common Core State Standards and teacher evaluation reform, school leaders increasingly look to district leaders for support, coaching, and leadership. District leaders--superintendents, assistant or area superintendents, specialists, principal supervisors, and school business administrators--can hold varying and multiple roles…

State implementation of new standards (revising, adapting, and adopting new standards) is a significant undertaking. Such an effort at the state level requires extensive support, planning, and resources. Implementing new state standards also requires the support of multiple education leaders--governors, legislators, state departments of education,…

Mayoral control of public schools is nothing new. Boston pioneered the practice in 1992, replacing elected school committee members with mayoral appointees. Since then, a dozen urban districts--including Cleveland, Chicago, New York City, and Washington, D.C.--have undergone a similar change in school governance that has shifted some or most of…

This document outlines the requirements and standards for teacher certification in Massachusetts. Information is included on: (1) routes to certification through Massachusetts approved and/or registered programs, interstate reciprocity, and transcript evaluation; (2) alternative routes to certification through the apprentice teacher program and/or…

This report, the first of a two-volume work, was prepared in response to the 1979 edition of the Massachusetts Board of Education's "Regulations for the Certification of Educational Personnel." Specific sections of the regulations are set off in boxes, each of which is followed by explanations of the ways in which the program addresses…

The purpose of the "Massachusetts Board of Education 2004 Annual Report" is two-fold: (1) To document the state of public education in the Commonwealth, including data on students, schools, and school districts; and (2) To chronicle the major decisions and actions of the Massachusetts Board of Education from January through December…

This report, the second of a two-volume work, was prepared in response to the 1979 edition of the Massachusetts Board of Education's "Regulations for the Certification of Educational Personnel." Specific sections of the regulations are set off in boxes, each of which is followed by explanations of the ways in which the program addresses…