Secondary education department

Office of Educator Licensure Massachusetts is committed to ensuring excellence within our schools and to supporting and developing our educator workforce. We are a national leader in education, and are looking for inspired, innovative, and nurturing individuals to join our schools. Besides this website, our licensure resources include our Call Center (781-338-6600, available weekdays, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm) and Walk-in Service Counter (75 Pleasant St., Malden, weekdays, 8:45 am to 4:45 pm). Please bring a photo ID. Education Security Portal (ESP) Registration Information: For assistance with the ESP Registration process please view the ESP Help page. Contact Us Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148-4906 Voice: (781) 338-3000 TTY: (800) 439-2370 Directions Disclaimer: A reference in this website to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public and does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Secondary Education Welcome to the Secondary Education Department. The department offers undergraduate and graduate programs for those who wish to be certified to teach children from grades 7 – 12. The graduate program leads to a Master’s degree, M.Ed., with teaching certification. The M.Ed. can be completed as a one-year residency model or as a part-time program. We are proud of our programs, our faculty, and our candidates who exit the programs prepared for success as teachers and leaders in various education contexts. We invite you to explore our programs and opportunities. Program Overview Undergraduate students who are interested in becoming teachers of grade 7 – 12 students. Our program has a variety of field experiences in different grade levels and settings throughout the four-year program. Graduate students who are interested in becoming teachers of grade 7 – 12 students and have a content background in Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Space Science, English, History, Political Science, or Geography. Our program helps students earn an M.Ed. and teaching certification either in a one-year residency model or a two to three year part-time program. The Department of Secondary Education fosters in its teacher candidates a deep respect for, and understanding of, the knowledge and skills that each of the major disciplines cultivates and advances. Our candidates engage in a sequence of cross-disciplinary seminars that integrate content knowledge with th...

Student Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism News Headlines: Guidance For Attendance Policies : This guidance document is intended to help inform the development of or updates to each school district's attendance policies and practices. The information provided in this document includes: key terms and definitions, brief overview of laws on compulsory school attendance, responsibilities of parents/guardians, school committees and schools, recommendations for written policies, and sample best practices. In addition, this document contains information about chronic absences, truancy, and dropping out. The goal is to support school districts and educators in working with students and their parents/guardians to promote consistent student attendance and engagement in learning. This document has been updated as of November 2021. The document is intended to answer questions district staff may have in reporting student attendance and dropout data to the Department. The guidelines apply to public school students, including students with disabilities who are placed by the district in public or private special education schools, and students in DYS facilities. Chronic Absence and Accountability The federal • Achievement • Student progress or growth • High school completion • Progress towards English proficiency for English learners • Chronic absenteeism • Advanced coursework completion A primary focus of the Massachusetts ESSA plan is to strengthen the quality and breadth of the instruc...