State News

Commissioner Announces 2021 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Malden middle school math teacher Jennifer Hedrington receives state’s top educator award

Posted on Thursday, October 22nd, 2020 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Press Release – A message from the Massachusetts Department ofElementary and Secondary Education – Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley today announced that Jennifer Hedrington, a seventh-grade math teacher at Ferryway School in Malden, is the 2021 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. The Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Program is… [Read More]

Massachusetts Migrant Education Program Transitions to Collaborative for Educational Services

Posted on Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Effective on September 1st, 2020, the Massachusetts Migrant Education Program (MMEP) will be managed by the Collaborative for Educational Services (CES). CES is a non-profit educational services agency, committed to reaching and educating learners of all ages. CES works in the Pioneer Valley and across Massachusetts to create and improve educational opportunities both in and… [Read More]

‘I feel terrible about how all this has played out for you’: Gov. Charlie Baker tells Massachusetts high school graduates in state-wide virtual commencement

Posted on Tuesday, June 16th, 2020 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Heather Adams, Masslive
Date: 6/10/2020
Link: Complete Article

Gov. Charlie Baker gave the commencement address in a state-wide virtual ceremony for all 668 public and private high schools in Massachusetts on Tuesday night. The virtual ceremony was designed to celebrate and encourage high school graduates as most traditional commencement ceremonies at individual schools have been postponed, canceled or turned into virtual events due… [Read More]

Some Massachusetts high schools are turning graduation into a drive-thru parade

Posted on Wednesday, May 27th, 2020 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Madelaine Millar, Boston.com
Date: 5/26/2020
Link: Complete Article

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, some high school seniors across Massachusetts will be able to line up to receive their diplomas, ceremoniously turn their tassels, and toss their caps — at a drive-thru parade. Over the past few weeks, several Massachusetts high schools have announced they will be holding graduation parades as a socially-distanced alternative to traditional… [Read More]

Due to coronavirus pandemic, Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education looks to waive MCAS testing requirements for certain students

Posted on Wednesday, May 27th, 2020 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Jackson Cote, Masslive
Date: 5/26/2020
Link: Complete Article

State education officials are looking to waive certain high school testing requirements for many students in Massachusetts due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley posted a memo ahead of the board’s Tuesday afternoon meeting in which he recommended modifying the “competency determination” for high school graduation for… [Read More]

Baker-Polito Administration, WGBH and Special Guests to Celebrate the Massachusetts High School Class of 2020 with a Virtual Commencement Ceremony

Posted on Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: 5/23/2020, WGBH
Date: 5/22/2020
Link: Complete Article

In partnership with WGBH, Governor Charlie Baker will deliver a commencement address to the Class of 2020 as part of a celebration for graduating seniors from 668 public and private schools across the Commonwealth, to be aired in a special broadcast at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9. Massachusetts Commencement 2020 will feature congratulatory remarks… [Read More]

Baker orders schools to stay closed through end of school year

Posted on Tuesday, April 21st, 2020 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Toness, Stout, Vaznis , Boston Globe
Date: 4/21/2020
Link: Complete Article

Governor Charlie Baker on Tuesday ordered the state’s schools to remain closed through the remainder of the school year. “It’s the right thing to do, considering the facts on the ground associated with the COVID 19 pandemic,” Baker said. He said there was no “authoritative guidance” on how to operate schools safely and how to… [Read More]

MCAS Requirement Waived for Mass. Students This Spring

Posted on Monday, April 13th, 2020 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Josh Sullivan, NBC Boston
Date: 4/11/2020
Link: Complete Article

Students in Massachusetts won’t have to take the MCAS exams this spring, amid school closures across the state due to the coronavirus outbreak. Gov. Charlie Baker signed the law that cancels the exam requirement for graduating high school. “Cancelling MCAS testing for the remainder of this school year will enable our teachers and students to… [Read More]

Early Education and Care programs to suspend operations; Some Emergency Child Care Programs will be established

Posted on Wednesday, March 18th, 2020 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Massachusetts Department of Early Childhood and Care Programs
Link: Complete Article

Governor Baker has ordered all early childhood education programs across the State of Massachusetts to suspend providing childcare by 11:59 P.M. on Sunday, March 22, 2020. This will remain in effect until April 6, 2020. At the same time, the Department of Early Education and Care (“EEC”) is establishing a process to approve Exempt Emergency… [Read More]

Schools Closed In Massachusetts Until At Least April 7th

Posted on Monday, March 16th, 2020 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: news staff, WROR
Date: 3/15/2020
Link: Complete Article

Part of the restrictions Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker imposed on the state on Sunday evening was a statewide closure of all schools in the Bay State. The Governor said that school districts were working to find alternative methods of learning for students while they are out. “We understand that many districts rely on school buildings… [Read More]