Franklin’s Jefferson Elementary School Named a Massachusetts Blue Ribbon School

Jefferson Elementary School was one of only six schools in Massachusetts chosen by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for a National Blue Ribbon School nomination in the 2025 Schools of Recognition program.

As part of its annual accountability reporting process, DESE identifies a small number of Schools of Recognition. These schools demonstrate progress toward annual accountability targets, with an emphasis on improved achievement in English Language Arts (ELA) and math. The highest annual recognition in the program is the National Blue Ribbon School Nominee designation.

Jefferson Elementary now the Washington K-2 School

Jefferson Elementary School was selected as part of the Exemplary High-Performing School category. This award recognizes schools that continue to demonstrate excellence across all subjects and deliver an overarching education program for all students, including students with disabilities and English language learners.

State officials recognized the consistency of Jefferson’s performance and the teaching practices that support it. The school’s practices are built on a strong curriculum and data-informed instruction. Staff collaborate closely and often involve multiple grades and subjects in their teaching.

Jefferson's inclusive practices were also a factor in the nomination. The school has multiple programs that are designed to link specialized instruction to general education classes, enabling students with disabilities to study grade-level material. This strategy has improved learning outcomes while maintaining students’ connections to the school community.

This collaboration happens throughout the building. General educators, special educators, specialists, and administrators collaborate to plan, assess, and modify curriculum and instruction as needed. The result is a whole-school model that focuses on providing access, consistency, and high expectations for each student, tailored to individual needs.

“This recognition is the result of the thoughtful leadership of Principal Stefani Wasik and Assistant Principal Beth Murray, commitment of our educators, and engagement of students and families at Jefferson Elementary School, which continues today throughout the district following the reorganization,” said Superintendent Lucas Giguere. "We are very proud of this achievement and grateful for the state’s recognition.”

Although the National Blue Ribbon Schools program at the federal level ended in August 2025, Massachusetts has chosen to continue this important recognition.

DESE is scheduled to honor Jefferson Elementary School at the 2025 Schools of Recognition Celebration, to be held on Jan. 20, at the Massachusetts State House. The state will recognize the six National Blue Ribbon School nominees, two ESEA Distinguished Schools, and 55 Schools of Recognition.

​For the 2025-26 school year, Franklin Public Schools underwent a district reorganization based on the recommendation of the School Facilities and Educational Master Plan Report. The plan created a central unified middle school and four partner elementary schools in two locations.

In the fall, most students from Jefferson entered the Washington Street K-2/3-5 Elementary School, located in the former Remington Middle School/Jefferson Elementary School Complex.

DESE series for "Public school educators" on "core principles of AI literacy"

"Public school educators are invited to a 6-week virtual series about the core principles of AI literacy.

Based on the DESE Office of EdTech's online module, AI Literacy for Educators, educators will explore how to navigate this technology with curiosity, caution, and a human-centered approach.

Sessions will take place virtually at 3 PM on Tuesdays from January 6 to February 10.

Learn more and sign up online: https://ow.ly/fQVe50XNSAM "

DESE series for "Public school educators" on "core principles of AI literacy"

"Registration is reserved for individuals currently employed in Massachusetts Public Schools, Charter Schools, Vocational Technical Schools, and Virtual Schools. Please be advised that DESE does not authorize attendees to record or to use AI transcription tools during the meeting, and DESE does not endorse any unauthorized transcripts created by third parties of its meetings."

The Codcast: "In every difficulty, there’s an opportunity" (audio)

"PATRICK TUTWILER, Gov. Maura Healey’s secretary of education, is a forward-looking guy.

The CodCast

While he and Healey both opposed the 2024 ballot question that did away with the requirement that students pass the 10th grade MCAS exam in math and English to graduate from high school, Tutwiler says the council he now co-chairs to figure out what to put in its place has a chance to rethink high school in ways that will enrich the experience and help set students up for success after it.

“Gov. Healey really saw this as an opportunity, as did I, and the former history teacher in me would sort of lift up the well-known saying that in every difficulty there’s an opportunity. And so we’ve wrapped our arms around that,” Tutwiler told CommonWealth Beacon’s Michael Jonas on a new episode of The Codcast. That reimaging of the high school experience, he said, was already underway before the MCAS ballot question emerged."

CommonWealth Beacon -> https://commonwealthbeacon.org/the-codcast/in-every-difficulty-theres-an-opportunity-education-secretary-patrick-tutwiler-says-about-developing-a-post-mcas-high-school-graduation-requirement/

The CodCast on Soundcloud -> https://soundcloud.com/massinc/cc-12_21_25-mix1

 

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Recall that Franklin Public Schools is working to put their graduation requirements in place while this State effort works through the process. Many of the points are similar between the local and State efforts.

Boston Globe article on new high school graduation framework

portrait of a graduate

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/01/metro/mcas-replacement-test-high-school-graduation/?s_campaign=sharetool_copypaste_view

Governor Healey's press release ->    https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-releases-statewide-high-school-graduation-framework

Franklin recently approved it's own graduation and competency requirements in lieu of the State having this developed and finalized (which will still take time for the State to complete).  Meeting recap can be found ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/11/franklin-school-committee-reorganizes_22.html

   

CommonWealth Beacon · Beyond the MCAS with Ed. Secretary Tutwiler

Healey-Driscoll Administration Releases Statewide High School Graduation Framework

"State leaders released on Monday the broad outlines of new educational standards students would be required to meet to graduate from high school, including mandatory courses, senior projects or portfolios, and financial literacy.

The proposed seven-part “framework” aims to replace the 10th grade test requirement voters did away with last year. But the framework included exam-like “end-of-course assessments.” The potential for new testing drew immediate criticism from the Massachusetts Teachers Association, which helped lead the drive to repeal the prior MCAS testing standard.

Governor Maura Healey and other proponents of the plan presented it as a necessary step for the state to maintain its number one ranking in the nation on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, a status jeopardized by a decadelong decline in achievement."

Boston Globe article on new high school graduation framework

portrait of a graduate

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/01/metro/mcas-replacement-test-high-school-graduation/?s_campaign=sharetool_copypaste_view

Governor Healey's press release -> https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-releases-statewide-high-school-graduation-framework

Franklin recently approved it's own graduation and competency requirements in lie of the State having this developed and finalized (which will still take time for the State to complete).  Meeting recap can be found ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/11/franklin-school-committee-reorganizes_22.html

DESE accepting public comment on State Seal of Biliteracy, Student Records, & Educator Licensure

"The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is accepting public comment on proposed amendments to

• regulations on the State Seal of Biliteracy (comments due Dec. 5)
• regulations on Student Records (comments due Dec. 5)
• regulations on educator licensure (comments due Jan. 20)

Find details on DESE’s public comment submission webpage: https://ow.ly/KnwQ50Xw6aj. #MaEdu"

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/16bSjSc9NH/

Tiered Focused Monitoring Review Scheduled at BFCCPS with DESE's Office of Language for Jan 2026

During the week of January 16th the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE’s) Office of Language Acquisition (OLA) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Benjamin Franklin Charter School. 

The Office of Language Acquisition reviews each district’s and charter school’s ELE program every six years to monitor compliance with federal and state English learner education laws and regulations. Areas of review will include English learners’ student assessments, identification of English learners; what programs English learners are placed in, parent and community involvement, curriculum and instruction, student support services, licensure requirements for faculty, staff and administration, program plans, and evaluation and recordkeeping. 

In addition to the virtual visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The district will send a survey to the parents of students whose records the review team examines. The survey focuses on key areas of their child’s English learner education program. Survey results will be reviewed by OLA and they will contribute to the monitoring report. 

Parents and other individuals may call David Parker, Office of Language Acquisition Review Chairperson, at 781-338-3466 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, DESE will make the necessary arrangements.

Tiered Focused Monitoring Review Scheduled at
BFCCPS with DESE's Office of Language for Jan 2026

Within approximately 60 business days of the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the charter school with a report with information about areas in which the

 charter school meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the charter school requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The report will be available to the public at https://www.doe.mass.edu/ele/cpr/.

About the Benjamin Franklin Charter School

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School's mission is to assist parents in their role as primary educators of their children by providing students with a classical academic education coupled with sound character development and community service. Our mission is supported by four distinct, yet interconnected pillars that provide for a collaborative, rigorous education for all students. These pillars guide, direct and define the school in all it does.

Listening session schedule set for Chapter 70 Local Contribution Study by DESE & DLS

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education today announced a series of public hearings regarding the state chapter 70 formula. The listening sessions are part of a Chapter 70 Local Contribution Study included in the state’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget and conducted by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and Department of Revenue’s Division of Local Services (DLS).

These listening sessions will inform the final Chapter 70 Local Contribution Study that examines the methods used to determine each municipality’s target local contribution and required local contribution toward school funding. The study will also consider the impact of factors such as income and property wealth, the effect on municipal services, and the unique challenges of rural and regional school districts. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and DLS expect to release the final report in the summer.

Listening session schedule:

Thursday, October 23, 2025

 Chapter 70 Local Contribution Study

4:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.

Masconomet Regional High School, 20 Endicott Road, Boxford

Thursday, October 30, 2025

4:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.

Doherty Memorial High School, 299 Highland St., Worcester

Thursday, November 6, 2025

4:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.

Greenfield High School, 21 Barr Ave., Greenfield

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

4:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.

Virtual public comment hearing

Register online

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

4:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.

Apponequet Regional High School, 100 Howland Road, Lakeville

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and DLS encourage the submission of written comments, which can be emailed to C70PublicComment@mass.gov.

Shared from -> https://www.doe.mass.edu/finance/chapter70/fy2026-local-contribution-study.html

Letter from MAVA Officers to the BOE re: Admissions

April 18, 2025 

Katherine Craven, Chair

Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education 

135 Santilli Highway

Everett, MA 02149

Letter from MAVA Officers to the BOE re: Admissions

Sent via mail: BoardofEducation@mass.gov 

Also sent to: CCTE@mass.gov

Dear Chair Craven and Members of the Board:

On April 10, 2025, in our capacity as MAVA officers, we received a link from DESE to newly posted information on the Department’s website. The updated DESE website outlines how the Department determines compliance with “rules” on vocational admissions. This information was provided as a result of repeated requests by vocational superintendents and MAVA Officers.

DESE’s updated website now includes a new section titled “Career Technical Education Methods of Administration for secondary career technical education (CTE) student eligibility, recruitment, and admission.” It provides an overview of the Methods of Administration (MOA) process and outlines the Department’s process for Disproportionality Analysis.

Presumably, this is the process DESE has adopted to comply with its federally-approved Massachusetts Targeting Plan. Recently, MAVA counsel requested copies of federally-approved plans. While there may be some variation between the documents received by MAVA and the information posted on the DESE website, it is assumed the Disproportionality Analysis posted is based on the most recently federally-approved plan. An excerpt from the aforementioned website is copied below.

Disproportionality Analysis

To determine if districts are enrolling particular demographic groups (Students of Color, Students with Disabilities, and English Learners) at disproportionate rates, we calculate the difference between the attending 9th grade students at that district and the comparison index for that district. The comparison index is what we would expect the 9th grade enrollment to be at the CTE district, using data from the region and adjusting for grades served, size of the district, and variability.  

When the difference between the attending 9th grade students and comparison index is negative, it indicates a 99% confidence level that the enrollment is under-representative of that district's region.  

The Department reviews at least two years of data and flags potential disproportionate student populations where:

1. The district has differences of less than 0 for all three demographic groups

2. The district has a difference of less than -5 for one (or more) demographic groups

3. The district has two demographic groups with differences both less than -2.5

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time since the initial publication of vocational admissions data in 2020 – that is, five years – that vocational schools and the public have been given information on DESE’s process for identifying schools to review. While this recent clarification is helpful, it is important to note MAVA continues to have serious concerns about the overall integrity of the data on which this analysis is based.1

It is also very important to note what is NOT part of the Disproportionality Analysis – there is no mention of admission “offers” or “acceptances,” or “offer rates” – data repeatedly used by lottery proponents to justify moving to a statewide, one-size-fits-all lottery system.2 Instead, the federally-approved DESE “rules” use a Comparison Index that compares the demographics in the applicant pool to the demographics in the school.

Out of deep curiosity, we ran the analysis posted on the website for Nashoba Valley Technical High School, Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical School, Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School, and Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical School District, the schools we represent. This exercise verified what we already suspected: None of our schools have issues with disproportionality among students from protected classes (See Appendix A). We comply with the rules.

It is assumed that this methodology is employed for data review in all 29 regional vocational schools. It is our understanding this analysis is what led to only ONE regional vocational school, Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, being selected for a Methods of Administration (MOA) review. It is also our understanding that only THREE other schools3 have been identified for potential technical assistance.

With this new information now shared for the very first time with the public (and simultaneously with vocational schools) we are left with unanswered questions:

● Why was this disproportionality analysis never discussed during any of the five BESE Board and subcommittee meetings held to study the vocational admissions process?4

● If this is the process DESE is using to flag only 4 CTE schools, why would any of our five schools – and likely most of the 20 other vocational schools – be required to turn our admissions systems upside down when DESE’s federally-approved guidelines demonstrate that we are in compliance? Our school committees and the taxpayers and voters in our member communities will be expecting us to answer that question. Based on what we have just learned, we have no reasonable explanation for them.

In light of this, we urge you not to adopt any revisions to the regulations related to vocational admissions. Instead, allow this entire issue – including our concerns about the accuracy and adequacy of the data – to be reviewed dispassionately, objectively, and thoroughly by the 15-member Vocational Admissions Task Force already included in Outside Sections 65 and 68 of the House Ways & Means Committee-endorsed version of the FY 2026 state budget.

The Task Force would carefully examine admissions policies, data collection practices, and enforcement standards to ensure that vocational schools and programs continue to serve our communities effectively and equitably.

We support creation of the Task Force for several specific reasons:

● The diverse composition of the task force, which includes legislative leadership, education administrators, and key stakeholders from various organizations involved in vocational-technical education.

● The clear timeline established for the task force, with a start date of September 15, 2025, and a required report by September 15, 2026.

● The requirement for at least one public hearing, ensuring community voices are heard in this important process.

● The prudent pause on regulatory changes, which prevents premature adjustments to admissions policies before the task force completes its thorough review.

And while this Task Force may add more time to the process, it is critically important that we get these policy changes right due to the direct impact on students. In the meantime, DESE already has authority under current regulations to move districts to admissions lotteries using its recently published disproportionality rules, so there are still compliance measures in place while the Task Force does its work.

Vocational-technical education provides vital pathways to career success for many students. By supporting this comprehensive review through the proposed task force, we can ensure these programs continue to evolve in ways that best serve all students while meeting our state's workforce needs.

In closing, these draft regulations are a solution in search of a problem. They are not needed because this is not a statewide problem. The Board should not vote on this issue until an admissions task force has reviewed the matter more thoroughly. In fact, as a good first step and as a signal that the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education truly wants to do what’s right, the Board could endorse the creation of the Task Force and await its findings and recommendations.

If you have any questions, please contact us. Thank you for your consideration. 

Respectfully,

Denise Pigeon Heidi T. Riccio Aaron Polansky Karen Maguire Eric Duda

¹See MAVA’s 5-page letter dated November 22, 2024, to BESE Chair Katherine Craven identifying a host of problems related to state data and its presentation to the public.

²This same “offers” and “acceptances” data is also publicly posted on DESE’s website, causing widespread confusion and misunderstandings between advocates, policymakers, and even the media. See: CTE Admissions and Waitlist tool Also see: Letter to BESE from Denise Pigeon dated 12.10.24

³Greater Lowell Technical High School, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, and Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School (Southern Worcester)

4  October 28, 2024 Special Board Meeting on CTE; November 15, 2024 Special Board Meeting on CTE; November 26, 2024 Career and Technical Education Study Committee; December 16, 2024 Career and Technical Education Study Committee; January 27, 2025 Career and Technical Education Study Committee

For the full letter including the mentioned Apendix A

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ekFVJWl9aoVXm8Zvk1kag1NIMqrJbQBo/view?usp=drive_link

Boston Globe: "Here’s how Massachusetts proposes to measure graduation readiness for students, post MCAS"

Massachusetts education officials are proposing interim graduation standards that would require students, beginning with the class of 2026, to pass specific classes after voters last fall dropped the MCAS exam as a graduation requirement.

graduation readiness for students

The proposed new requirements would remain in place while a new graduation council explores long-term options

“This is a change the voters have put in place, and it’s a step until we get something that is more robust,” acting Commissioner Russell Johnston said Tuesday during a state education board meeting.

Shared from -> https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/02/25/metro/mcas-massachusetts-graduation-requirements-competency-determination/

You can access the full article at the Boston Globe with your Franklin Library card    ->    https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/02/how-to-access-online-resources-with.html

School Committee recognizes FHS Cheerleaders, approves temporary naming for redistricting, gets update from Franklin TV (audio)

FM #1354 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1354 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Jan 14, 2024. 6 of the 7 members participated (6 in Chambers,  1 absent - Sompally).

Quick recap

• FHS Cheerleaders recognized for winning multiple championships, approved for travel to the National Championship

• Superintendent's report included multiple updates on redistricting efforts underway

• FHS school update provided insights in the school year thus far

• FHS Program of Studies update raised some clarification questions and at least one surprise that the community service hours added to the graduation requirements are not being monitored this year due to the budget cut that removed the individual who would have done that tracking. Community hours were being done by students, no one single person was tracking to ensure all the students were doing so this school year

• Franklin TV provided an update on the programming provided to the community including the live broadcast of this meeting (across town, 2 school concerts were also broadcast and the FHS girls basketball game was also broadcast). revenue is dropping due to cable cutting, proposal at State Legislature on potential alternate revenue for cable operations, new Federal administration may attempt to dismantle the Federal authorization for cable broadcasting

• Discussion action items

• approved after much discussion as amended the notification on the temporary names for the schools as part of the redistricting

• Capital budget modified from initial preview and approved

• 3 policies for first reading approved to move to second reading

• Update on educational expenses for the student from the emergency shelter. Quarterly reimbursement from DESE only used to offset the costs of educating these students. Reimbursement at rate of $104/per day/per student. The override had nothing to do with the education of these students. FPS does not use the operational budget to educate the student from the emergency shelter

• Grants to the amount of $1.6 M were preview by the committee (document not part of the public set released prior to the meeting). Over what period these grants covered was not mentioned out loud.

• Round of subcommittee updates

• Motion to enter executive session, not to return to public meeting, passed 6-0-1 (1 absent)

The recording runs about 3 hours & 24 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1354-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-01-14-25/

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Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWsDrfRwZuM 

The agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/fsc.pdf 

Meeting packet (other docs as they are released after the meeting will get posted here) -> https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/january-14%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/742564

My full set of notes in one PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JdupV2TntAObJjwWAik_BBpoPfpLPHVH/view?usp=drive_link   

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

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For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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School Committee recognizes FHS Cheerleaders, approves temporary naming for redistricting, gets update from Franklin TV (audio)