Citizens' Guide to State Services:
Education / Arts

Executive Office of Education

1 Ashburton Place, Room 1403
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-979-8340
Fax: 617-727-0049
E-mail: EOE@massmail.state.ma.us
www.mass.gov/orgs/executive-office-of-education

Established in 2008, the Executive Office of Education oversees and coordinates the direction and efforts of the Department of Early Education and Care, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the epartment of Higher Education and the University of Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education

75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148-4906
Office of the Commissioner: 781-338-3111
Education Board: 781-338-3102
TTY: 1-800-439-2370
E-mail: boe@doe.mass.edu
www.doe.mass.edu/bese

The board, consisting of citizens appointed by the governor, sets policies and establishes state standards for educational programs in all public elementary and secondary schools, for certain programs in post-secondary schools (non-college credit), and for programs of adult and continuing education.

Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)

Executive Office of Education
51 Sleeper Street, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02210
Phone: 617-988-6600
Fax: 617-988-2451
www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-early-education-and-care

The Department of Early Education and Care sets standards for and monitors childcare programs throughout the state. It is responsible for fostering the well-being of children enrolled in child care by establishing and enforcing health and safety standards.

Through its regional offices, it licenses:

• The state's child care centers
• Nursery schools
• Private kindergartens
• Family day care homes
• School age child care programs
• Preschool programs
• Residential and temporary shelter facilities for children
• Foster care and adoption placement agencies

EEC also administers and purchases subsidized child care for income eligible families, families receiving Transitional Assistance, early learning services, special child care services and child care resource and referral services. The office also provides information and referral for parents seeking child care. EEC serves children up to age 18 (to age 22 with special needs) and their families.

Regional EEC Offices

Quincy

Lawrence

Springfield

Taunton

Worcester

In addition, EEC oversees the Children's Trust Fund. A primary prevention program which was established to provide statewide child abuse prevention programs at elementary schools.

Children's Trust Fund

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148-4906
Main Number: 781-338-3000
TTY: 1-800-439-2370
Legal Office: 781-338-3400
Teacher Licensure: 781-338-6600
Fax: 781-338-3391
www.doe.mass.edu

The Department is the administrative arm of the State Board of Education. It offers technical consultation and guidance to all public primary and secondary schools in the state.

Some of the specific responsibilities include:

• Chapter 188 and Chapter 727, School improvement laws
• Chapter 766, the special education law
• Transitional bilingual education
• Chapter 622, the anti-discrimination law
• The integration of schools
• Occupational education
• Adult education including literacy programs
• School building standards
• Program and hour requirements
• Early childhood education
• Teacher certification
• Educational technology
• It publishes a directory of public and private elementary and secondary schools (also sold at the State Bookstore), and information on the distribution of high school graduates
• It serves as the clearinghouse for research and data for the department and school systems

Adult and Community Learning Services (ACLS)

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148-4906
Phone: 781-338-3850
Adult Literacy Hotline: 1-800-447-8844
Fax: 781-338-3394
E-mail: acls@doe.mass.edu
www.doe.mass.edu/acls

This office sponsors adult classes in basic educational skills. It oversees basic literacy services through adult secondary education, and other services related to supporting adults attaining the level of proficiency expected of a high school graduate.

GED and High School Equivalency Testing

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148-4906
Phone: 781-338-6625
www.doe.mass.edu/hse

The GED (General Education Development test) and the High School Eqivalency HSE) testing programs offers thirty-three test centers operating statewide to serve the needs of the adult population seeking a high school credential. The GED Testing Service in Washington D.C. is responsible for developing, norming and validating the tests, and with setting the minimum scoring requirements.

Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148-4906
Phone: 781-338-6220
www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/

Under the Education Reform Act of 1993, seven core academic areas make up what are called the Curriculum Frameworks: Arts, English, Health, Math, Science, Social Studies, and World Languages. The curriculum frameworks are designed for teachers to use in preparing their lesson plans, and for districts to use in planning local curricula and are considered key areas of learning required of all students in Massachusetts at the elementary level.

Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD)

1 Ashburton Place, Suite 601
Boston, MA 02108-1518
Phone: 617-994-6000
TTY: 617-994-6196
Fax: 617-994-6024
www.mass.gov/orgs/Massachusetts-commission-against-discrimination

The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination is the civil rights law enforcement agency of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth has the authority to investigate complaints and take appropriate action in cases of illegal discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and credit. The Fair Educational Practices law prohibits unfair educational practices in educational institutions as defined by MGL Ch. 151C on the basis of age, race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, or disability. Sexual harassment is also considered an unfair, educational practice. For additional information see Consumer, Employment, and Housing sections of this guide.

Regional Offices

New Bedford

Springfield

Worcester

District and School Accountability System

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148
Phone: 781-338-3535
Fax: 781-338-3318
www.doe.mass.edu/accountability/report-cards/

The District and School Accountability Systems Office provides project management for Accountability reporting, file creation, and maintenance, providing technical and customer assistance on federal accountability system requirements and overseeing the Accountability appeal process.

Education Data Services

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148
Phone: 781-338-3282
Fax: 781-338-3220
E-mail: data@doe.mass.edu
www.doe.mass.edu/infoservices

The Education Data Services Office is located within the Center for District Support and is responsible for the collection, quality, analysis and reporting of data submitted to the ESE by public school districts, educational collaboratives and private schools in the Commonwealth.

Gifted and Talented Education Advisory Council

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148-4906
Phone: 781-338-6285
www.doe.mass.edu/bese/councils/gifted.html

The Gifted and Talented Advisory Council advises the Commissioner and the Board of Education on meeting the special educational needs of students who are academically advanced as well as issues concerning academically advanced education in the Commonwealth. Comprised of parents, educators and community representatives, the council represents a variety of interests and perspectives that support challenging learning opportunities for students.

Grants Management Unit

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148-4906
Phone: 781-338-6595
Fax: 781-338-6590
www.doe.mass.edu/grants/

Grants Management Unit is responsible for coordinating over 100 state and federal grants. Duties include technical review of applications, awards processing, financial reports and training for grant recipients.

Office for Career/Vocational Technical Education

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148 4906
Phone: 781-338-3910
www.doe.mass.edu/ccte/cvte

The Office for Career/Vocational Technical Education administers Commonwealth of Massachusetts' General Law (M.G.L.) Chapter 74 governing vocational technical education programs in public school districts. The Office also administers the federal Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 P.L. 109-270 (Perkins IV), and the federal Guidelines for Eliminating Discrimination and Denial of Services on the Basis of Race, Color, National Origin, Sex, and Handicap in Vocational Education Programs 34 CFR, Part 100, Appendix B (Civil Rights Guidelines).

Charter School and School Redsign

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148-4906
Phone: 781-338-3227
E-mail: charterschools@doe.mass.edu
www.doe.mass.edu/charter

Authorized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Education Reform Act of 1993, charter schools are independent public schools that operate under five year charters granted by the Commonwealth's Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. The increased freedom available to charter schools coupled with increased accountability infuses all aspects of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's oversight of charter schools, beginning with the rigorous application process that groups must go through to receive a charter. Once the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has awarded a charter, the new charter school has the freedom to organize around a core mission, curriculum, theme, or teaching method. It is allowed to control its own budget and hire and fire teachers and staff. In return for this freedom, a charter school must demonstrate good results within five years or risk losing its charter.

School Choice Program

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148-4906
Phone: 781-338-6585
http://wwww.doe.mass.edu/finance/schoolchoice/

The Massachusetts school choice law (General Laws Chapter 76, Section 12B) was enacted in 1991 to allow parents to send their children to public schools in communities other than that in which they reside. School committees choose whether or not to become school choice receiving districts, and they may designate a maximum number of available school choice seats for an upcoming year. Regulations governing a reimbursement program which allows for the reimbursement of transportation costs to low income parents whose children are participating in school choice are in place.

Student Records

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM)
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148-4906
Phone: 781-338-3700
Fax: 781-338-3710
www.doe.mass.edu/psm

Federal and state laws allow the parents of a student who is under the age of 18, or a student who is 18 or over, to have access to the student's records. However, regulations of the state Department of Education allow public school students who are 14 years or older to have access to their own records. See 603 CMR 23.07 for information or call the Department of Education.

Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA)

Office of the State Treasurer
40 Broad Street, Suite 500
Boston, MA 02109
Phone: 617-720-4466
Fax: 617-720-5260
www.massschoolbuildings.org

Chapter 208 of the Acts of 2004, amending MGL Chapter 70B, transferred responsibility for the School Building Assistance Program from the Department of Education to the Massachusetts School Building Authority. It is an independent governing body comprised of seven members of which the State Treasurer serves as Chairman.

Office of Food and Nutrition Programs

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148-4906
Phone: 781-338-6480
Fax: 781-338-3399
www.doe.mass.edu/cnp

The Office of Food and Nutrition Programs administered by the Massachusetts Department of Education contributes to the health and wellbeing of the Commonwealth's children, by supporting nutritious meal service in day care centers, family day care homes, summer feeding programs and schools.

Special Education

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148 4906
Phone: 781-338-3375
Educational Services in Institutional Settings: 781-338-3303
Fax: 781-338-3396
Email: specialeducation@doe.mass.edu
www.doe.mass.edu/sped/

Chapter 766, the Massachusetts Special Education Law, is designed to define the needs of children requiring special education in a broad and flexible manner, to minimize the possibility of stigmatization, and to maximize the child's development in the least restrictive environment. The Department of Education has lead responsibility for ensuring that all provisions of Chapter 766 are met, for promulgating the regulations for its implementation, and for ensuring that the provisions of other state and federal special education laws are also met. The special education office focuses on interagency and special education policy, planning and related personnel development activities and provides or arranges for the provision of special education to children who reside in institutions under the control of the departments of: Developmental Services, Mental Health, Public Health, and Youth Services and other human service agencies so designated by the Department of Education.

It assigns educational advocates to represent students with special needs statewide and assigns direct responsibility of students with special needs without a parent or guardian to local community. The Bureau of Institutional Schools oversees the Vision Resource Library, the Local Educational Advocate assignment process, and the statewide Educational Advocate Program.

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Bureau of Special Education Appeals (BSEA)

Executive Office of Administration and Finance
Administrative Law Appeals
1 Congress Street, 11th Floor
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-626-7250
Fax: 617-626-7270
www.mass.gov/orgs/bureau-of-special-education-appeals

The Bureau of Special Education Appeals ("BSEA") conducts mediations, advisory opinions and due process hearings to resolve disputes among parents, school districts, private schools and state agencies. The BSEA derives its authority from both federal law and regulations (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, "IDEA") and Massachusetts law and regulations. (MGL ch. 71B) A parent or a school district may request mediation, advisory opinion and/or a hearing on any matter concerning the eligibility, evaluation, placement, individualized education program (IEP), provision of special education in accordance with state and federal law, or procedural protections of state and federal law for students with disabilities.

Student and Family Support (SFS)

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148 4906
Phone: 781-338-3010
Fax: 781-338-3090
www.doe.mass.edu/sfs/

The Student Support Services’ mission is to provide programs and supports that help all students gain the knowledge, skills and values needed to be well prepared for post-secondary options as well as a career and citizenship. The awareness of the relationship between cognitive development and the physical, emotional and social well-being is fundamental to a quality educational environment. The units within this office aim to assist schools, students, parents, the business sector and communities in identifying and promoting strategies to address the barriers to learning that many children and youth face today.

Bureau of Transitional Planning

Executive Office of Health and Human Services
1 Ashburton Place, Room 1109
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-573-1669
www.mass.gov/info-details/bureau-of-transitional-planning

This bureau is responsible for the implementation of Chapter 688 of the Acts of 1983 which entitles severely disabled Chapter 766 students, as defined in the statute, to transitional plans as of age 22. These plans will link them to appropriate adult service delivery agencies. Two years prior to termination of Chapter 766 coverage for these clients, the local school system should initiate the transitional process. For further information, contact the bureau.

Licensing, Certification and Recertification

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148-4906
Phone: 781-338-6600
TTY: 1-800-439-2370
www.doe.mass.edu/licensure

This office has responsibility for managing and improving the process of certification of teachers, administrators, and other educational personnel including those in proprietary schools as well as the credentialing process for candidates for the Massachusetts high school equivalency diploma. It advises applicants on how to become certified via traditional and alternative routes and supports school systems in securing certified and qualified personnel.

Educator Preparation

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148-4906
Phone: 781-338-3292
Fax: 781-338-3370
www.doe.mass.edu/edprep

This office oversees the educators recruitment, preparedness and professional development through traditional and alternative programs.

Board of Higher Education

1 Ashburton Place, Room 1401
Boston, MA 02108-1696
Phone: 617-994-6950
www.mass.edu/bhe/aboutbhe.asp

The Board of Higher Education is the coordinating board for twenty nine institutions of public higher education: the University of Massachusetts, seven liberal arts colleges, Massachusetts College of Art, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, and 15 community colleges. The board is responsible for defining the mission of the higher education system and its three segments: the university, state college, and community college segments. The university segment operates autonomously as the University of Massachusetts and its five campuses. The board makes recommendations to the university on its annual budget. The board's responsibilities for the state college and community college segment are as follows: academic affairs; budget preparation; fiscal and management affairs; planning, research, and development; student services; and employee relations. The board will continue to approve new degree programs in public sector and new charter amendments in private sector.

Department of Higher Education

Board of Higher Education
1 Ashburton Place, Room 1401
Boston, MA 02108-1696
Phone: 617-994-6950
www.mass.edu

The Department of Higher Education is the supporting staff to the Board of Higher Education which is the coordinating board for the institutions of public higher education: the University of Massachusetts, seven liberal arts colleges, Massachusetts College of Art, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, and 15 community colleges. The board oversees the following offices: Policy and Planning; Admissions and Financial Aid; Human Resources and the General Counsel.

Educational Testing Services (ETS)

660 Rosedale Road
Princeton, NJ 08541
Phone: 609-921-9000
www.ets.org

Exams which test proficiency in certain areas are sponsored by the Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey and can be taken for college course credit, up to a maximum of two years college credit. Many state and private colleges and universities administer the program. Contact the college of your choice for a list of courses and other information concerning this procedure.

Office of Student Financial Assistance

Department of Higher Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148
Phone: 617-391-6070
E-mail: osfa@osfa.mass.edu
www.mass.edu/osfa/home/home.asp

The Office of Student Financial Assistance is primarily responsible for the management and oversight of all state funded financial aid programs and advises the Board of Higher Education about financial aid policy matters of concern to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In addition to its financial aid responsibilities, OSFA is the principal agency for promoting access to higher education through early awareness initiatives that foster the recognition of college as a viable postsecondary option and the availability of financial aid resources to help students and families meet college costs.

American Student Assistance Corporation (ASA)

100 Cambridge Street, Suite 1600
Boston, MA 02114
Toll Free: 1-800-999-9080
www.asa.org/

Since 1956 American Student Assistance has been helping students to successfully fulfill a program of higher education, originally by making guaranteed student loans possible and more recently by helping students complete a program of higher education financing and repayment. ASA is a private nonprofit whose public purpose mission is to empower students and alumni to successfully manage and repay their college loan debt.

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Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA)

160 Federal Street, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
Phone: 1-800-449-6332
Email: info@mefa.org
www.mefa.org

The Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority is a not-for-profit quasi-public entity serving students and families in Massachusetts and out-of-state students and families pursuing higher education in Massachusetts. MEFA's mission is to increase access and college affordability across the Commonwealth through low-cost financing alternatives, college savings programs and educational financing expertise on planning, saving and paying for higher education.

George Fingold State Library

State House, Room 341
Boston, MA 02133
Information and Reference: 617-727-2590
Special Collections: 617-727-2595
www.mass.gov/orgs/state-library-of-Massachusetts

The George Fingold State Library, an independent state agency, is a government and public affairs-oriented library geared to meet the information and research requirements of the executive and legislative branches of state government. It serves as a depository for printed documents of the government of the Commonwealth and the federal government, as well as a principal resource on the history of Massachusetts and its local communities. The library is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

98 North Washington Street, Suite 401
Boston, MA 02114-1918
Phone: 617-725-1860
Toll Free: 1-800-952-7403 (within Mass. only)
Fax: 617-725-0140
mblc.state.ma.us/index.php

This state agency is responsible for the development of public library services in the state and for the development of computer-based resource-sharing library consortia through its Massachusetts Library Information Network (MLIN), or network of library networks. It administers both federal and state grants to libraries and offers technical assistance and guidance to library personnel, trustees, library organizations, and governmental agencies. The board also administers the Braille and Talking Book Program (1-800-852-3133), which provides books on tape to the blind, visually impaired, and physically handicapped clients. Additionally, the board manages the Machine Lending Service, which coordinates the distribution and repair of the machines that read the Talking Book tapes.

Office of Private Occupational School Education

Division of Professional Licensure
1000 Washington Street, Suite 710
Boston, MA 02118-6100
Phone: 617-727-5811
www.mass.gov/orgs/office-of-private-occupational-school-education

Post-secondary private schools and private educational organizations that conducts courses for profit or by charging tuition for the purpose of training or preparing individuals for a business, trade, technical or industrial occupation, or any other vocational purpose, including correspondence schools, private business schools, private trade schools and similar entities designated by the division require a license issued by this office. The law: G.L. c. 112, § 263, authorizes the Department of Professional Licensure to license all private occupational schools operating in Massachusetts.

University of Massachusetts (UMass)

University Administration
1 Beacon Street, 31st Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-287-7050
www.Massachusetts.edu

There are five campuses of this university: Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell, and Worcester Medical Center. The university operates an agricultural educational center in Waltham that coordinates the Massachusetts extension services throughout the state. It also conducts two-year practical courses at the Stockbridge School of Agriculture in Amherst.

Office of Veterans Education

Department of Higher Education
1 Ashburton Place, Room 1401
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-994-6950
www.mass.edu/veterans

This office, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, approves educational institutions and programs for benefits eligibility. It monitors these programs and the veterans participating in them. After acceptance by the educational institution, veterans and VA-eligible persons apply to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for educational benefits. For applications for tuition waivers at Massachusetts state and community colleges, contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

Massachusetts Cultural Council

Office of the Treasurer
10 Saint James Avenue, 3rd Floor
Boston, MA 02116-3803
Phone: 617-858-2700
Toll Free: 1-800-232-0960
Fax: 617-727-0044
www.massculturalcouncil.org/

The Massachusetts Cultural Council receives an annual appropriation from the state legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts. It then makes grants to not-for-profit cultural organizations, schools, communities, and working artists, for programs that use the arts, sciences, and humanities to build stronger, more diverse, more livable communities. Beneficiaries include a broad cross-section of the state's population: schoolchildren; at-risk youth; elders; people with disabilities and everyday citizens in each city and town across the state. While it is placed administratively under the Treasurer's office it remains autonomous in its operations.

Art Commission

Executive Office for Administration and Finance
Bureau of State Office Buildings
State House, Room 27
Mailing Address use: State House Room One
Boston, MA 02133
Phone: 617-727-1100, ext. 35517
www.mass.gov/orgs/Massachusetts-art-commission

The Art Commission, which consists of five members approved by the governor, has the responsibility for the custody and care of all historical relics and of all works of art in the State House administering all programs for conservation and care of the art, artifacts, and historic fabric of the building under M. G. L. Chapter 6, Sections 19 and 20.