Happy New Year, and Welcome to 2022!

Our first MAGE Advocacy meeting of 2022 is happening this Wednesday, January 19th, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm via Zoom.

Agenda for January 19th meeting

(1) December 17th BESE meeting update

- Good news: Commissioner Riley announced that he is planning a CBE (Competency-based education) pilot in Massachusetts

- DESE is introducing a student achievement award for high-needs students who score in the exceeding expectation level on MCAS (for more information scroll to agenda item 4.)

(2) CBE Pilot

- Conversations with Aurora Institute

(3) G/T Education Advisory Council

- Next meeting on January 20th, 5-7 pm

- DESE is working with vendor CTD, currently planning to incorporate services for advanced learners into the state's MTSS system.

- DESE/CTD is also working on a needs assessment survey to be sent to districts to identify priorities and needs for advanced learning services.

- Priorities in the Charge to the Council this year are the "Identification of evidence-based programs that support the advanced learning needs of all students, and the process of identifying students to receive these supports".

- The Digital Learning Advisory Council is seeking new members and is looking specifically for a secondary school administrator and a representative of an institution of higher education that provides online K-12 education. Apply by January 25th.

(4) Update on bills in the legislature

- Bills need to be reported out of committee by Feb. 2nd, no movement so far.

- Budget amendments deadline is April 27th. Ideas for a budget line item to request to advance g/t education in Massachusetts?