A recent WalletHub
study has determined that Massachusetts has one of the top public school
systems in America, offering families and children plenty of educational
options.
Kindergarten teachers
typically pursue graduate degrees in early childhood or elementary education,
specializing in topics like child growth and development, play-based learning
strategies and literacy studies.
Educational Options
Massachusetts offers
an impressive variety of educational options for students of all ages, such as
traditional public schools; charter, vocational, virtual schools; early college
pathway programs and early college admissions pathways. Massachusetts is also
home to top universities and research and development organizations from around
the globe - which may explain why Massachusetts leads other states when it
comes to student achievement measures like graduation rates and test scores.
One factor
contributing to its success may be its dedication to educational equity. The
state has made great efforts to ensure all its educational systems provide
equal opportunities for all children regardless of economic status or other
social circumstances which would usually prevent them from succeeding at
school. This has proven especially important in closing achievement gaps
between rich and poor students - who often tend to receive less support in
school systems.
However, significant
gaps remain in academic performance across demographic groups in California.
Wealthiest districts still demonstrate superior academic results while students
from districts with high concentrations of poverty lag significantly behind. It
has proven difficult to bridge this divide; thus remaining an ongoing
challenge.
As such, the state
continues to invest in education both at its flagship university system and
within local communities. Furthermore, it's exploring innovative educational models
which may fill some of these gaps such as teacher collaborations,
micro-credentialing or taking an 'open approach' towards school choice.
Massachusetts schools
are consistently some of the highest rated in the nation. At $16,077 per pupil
and 17 pupils for every teacher, Massachusetts schools boast some of the most
highly-regarded education in America. Furthermore, Massachusetts educators
enjoy an exceptional level of autonomy - for instance when it comes to handling
disciplinary actions against their students they have wide discretion in
handling them appropriately.
Are You Thinking About
Becoming a Teacher in Massachusetts? Start By Exploring Requirements To Acquire
An Initial Teaching License The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education (DESE) oversees public schools throughout Massachusetts,
and provides various teaching certifications, such as Bachelor degrees in
Elementary Education/Middle Grades Education as well as MAs in Curriculum
Instruction/Leadership or Educational Leadership.
Curriculum Frameworks
The Massachusetts
Department of Education curriculum frameworks offer teachers, students and
families clear expectations regarding what every child should know and be able
to do at each grade level in each subject area. MCAS (Massachusetts
Comprehensive Assessment System) assessments use these standards. English
Language Arts (ELA), Math, Science/Engineering/Technology
Engineering/Engineering Engineering History & Social Studies as well as
Health Education all feature frameworks with detailed curriculum guidelines as
well as adaptations for those with disabilities.
Curriculum frameworks
serve to guide educators on how to teach standards using various instructional
strategies and methodologies, such as performance-based assessments (PBAs).
PBAs (performance-based assessments) offer students authentic experiences that
correspond with what has been learned in class.
Brookline schools
utilize Second Step, a research-backed program which supports school success
and self-regulation among elementary students. Students learn skills for
managing emotions and behavior effectively in class while remaining focused and
engaging positively with their classmates; guidance counselors at each school
work with students toward reaching their curriculum goals.
While most schools in
Massachusetts follow the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, others also
utilize national standards. For instance, health education curriculum framework
Guiding Principles largely overlaps with the National Standard for Health
Education and Physical Education to some degree. Brookline schools have used
their K-8 literacy initiative since 2010 to address text complexity
requirements set by MA Frameworks.
Massachusetts
Department of Education provides teachers with a wealth of resources to learn
more about curriculum frameworks. One such resource is MA Standards Navigator,
which allows educators to search learning standards within curriculum
frameworks and locate related resources such as student work exemplars, assessment
items, quick reference guides and definitions of terms. Furthermore, educators
can use mapping feature to visualize how standards relate to one another across
grades.
The state EEC (Early
Education and Care) standards aim to help educators meet the needs of young
children. For instance, their Learning Standards for Preschoolers and Teachers
detail guided learning for each subject - English language arts, math,
science/technology/engineering engineering history social studies health
education arts as well as supporting those with special educational needs as
well as family engagement.
Early Education
Massachusetts is one
of the nation's most populous states and thus requires highly qualified
educators for children from pre-K through elementary school. Early educators
know how to recognize and understand each child's social, developmental, and
cultural background while creating an anti-biased learning atmosphere that
recognizes individual talents and abilities.
Massachusetts voters
and opinion leaders rank quality child care and education programs high on
their list of state government priorities, understanding that these investments
pay dividends in future academic achievement for children. Unfortunately, state
funding falls far short of meeting rapidly increasing costs.
Massachusetts Early
Education Alliance (EEA), comprised of leaders from business, early childhood
field, labor unions, religion, healthcare and education sectors joined together
in 2013 to advocate for policies that will make high-quality, universally
accessible preschool a reality in our state. This means increasing public
sector investment levels to match rising needs and benefits of quality early
education and child care services.
The Early Education
Alliance's campaign for equitable early education and care funding centers on
equity. Funding must ensure children from low-income families have equal
opportunity to reap benefits of such investment.
To assist with this
endeavor, the EEA policy platform includes:
Massachusetts Bay
Community College's Early Education and Child Care program offers an 18-credit
baccalaureate degree option designed to meet state requirements for teaching
group infant/toddler and preschool classrooms. It features one semester field
experience at a local child care center and can be completed completely online
or face-to-face; day, evening or weekend classes can all be found here. In
addition, Massachusetts Bay Community College students participating in this
program qualify for the Career Pathways Grant which covers tuition/fees/textbooks/chromebooks
plus teaching practicum scholarship!
College
At age 5, children
generally enter elementary school (grade K), often after attending preschool.
Elementary school serves as an essential year of social and academic growth
that sets up children for success in middle and secondary school as well as
college.
Massachusetts offers
many opportunities for young people to prepare for college. One such way is
dual enrollment programs, whereby students earn both high school and college
diplomas by enrolling in classes that count towards both. These can give young
people a leg up when navigating college - giving them momentum needed to
successfully graduate while making positive contributions in their communities.
GEAR UP offers extra
college readiness support to students in grades 7 to 12. This program has
proven successful at inspiring young people to dream big and stay on the path
toward attending university, which you can learn more about by visiting its
website.
Some schools are also
exploring early college programs, where high school and college students
collaborate to offer clear pathways into college for high school graduates who
may face obstacles along the way. These early college programs may help save
time and money as well as avoid many of the more frequent challenges that could
cause someone to drop out before even beginning.
New York City
kindergarteners receive a seed investment into an NYC Kids Rise college savings
account when enrolling in their school system, providing an additional
motivation to pursue higher education. Studies indicate this may increase
enrollment. Cities across the nation are investing public funds in accounts
dedicated to 5-year-olds. NYC Kids Rise puts this money in its 529 college
savings plan, where it earns interest over time. Parents can make
contributions, as can family and friends; then the funds can be used for
tuition fees, room and board expenses, textbook purchases and more. All public
school kindergarteners automatically enrolled this year are set to activate
their accounts by January.
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