波士頓世衛協進會健身打匹克球 (謝開明圖片輯)

波士頓台灣世衛協進會在牛頓市YMCA舉辦打匹克球活動。(謝開明攝)

              (Boston Orange) 波士頓臺灣世衛協進會 (TAGHB) 9月15日揪團打匹克球，將近30人由老手示範教學，再分批上場對壘，運動了2小時，既健身，又聯誼，會員們笑說，增進感情後，將來一起上街舉牌才更有力。

波士頓台灣世衛協進會會長李孟潔(右起)、Riva Chan請林上田(左二)
協助教新手打匹克球。左一為劉秀春。(謝開明攝)

              牙醫師李孟潔和曾任成大校友會會長的Riva Chan接任TAGHB會長後，積極推動會務，9月1日組隊上州政府前的波士頓廣場及波士頓公園，頂著豔陽遊行，舉牌，呼籲主流社會支持台灣加入聯合國及世界衛生組織 (WHO)後，9月15日揪團打匹克球，促進會員情誼。

              林上田、蘇鴻昌、黃俊義，Annie Huang ，Eddie Tran  等5名教練在現場指導。大約一半從未打過匹克球的人，也在這天才知道，原來匹克球 (Pickleball)又叫「泡菜球」，是從美國西雅圖的班布里治島興起，以球拍擊球運動，如今已成為許多美國中學的體育課項目之一。有人說這是網球、羽毛球和桌球的混合運動，很容易上手。

              TAGBH會長李孟潔和Riva Chan

黃俊義、Annie Huang父女檔上場打匹克球。(謝開明攝)

表示，該會將持續辦理支持臺灣加入世衛組織活動，關注公衛議題，已買下網址，將設立網站，為青少年提供志願服務機會，同時積極參與雙十國慶系列活動，和大波士頓僑團合作，繼續宣導支持臺灣加入WHA的信念

              2名會長也特地感謝創會會長蘇鴻昌斥資500美金，贊助這次活動。(更新版)

陳玫菁、Annie Huang等人一起打匹克球。

蘇鴻昌(左一)、彭聲翔(中)、馮文鸞(右二)等世衛協進會理事一起打匹克球。
(謝開明攝)

林上田(左二)向李孟潔(右一)等人展示打匹克球技巧。(謝開明攝)

麻省理工台灣同學迎新 實用生活資訊新生大讚

麻省理工學院台灣同學會迎新大合照。(周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州報導) 麻省理工學院臺灣同學會9月13日在學生中心歡迎新生，逾百參加者在9人幹部團隊精心策畫的活動中，驚喜連連，期待接下來的看棒球、運動會、學術五乘五等活動。

本屆麻省理工學院臺灣同學會幹部，左起，顧問陳韋同、活動蔡家晉，
財務何達睿、活動黃兆中，會長黃士朋、活動楊浩東、Kevin Yang，
副會長張浩揚，張麒仙。(周菊子攝)

              自從新冠病毒疫情爆發以來，麻省理工學院臺灣同學會這還是第一次辦這麼大規模的迎新會，20多名新生有至少18人上台做了自我介紹。其中2人在台大念完大一後，轉來MIT進修，5人是女生，還有一位年輕得有如同學，初來乍到的物理系教授廖書珩。

             

教育組組長黃薳玉(左六)頒獎給趣味問答優勝者。(周菊子攝)

波士頓經文處教育組組長黃薳玉這晚也應邀出席，提醒同學，出門在外要注意安全，謹防詐騙，遇有狀況，千萬先和身邊朋友商量，再決定對策，教育組隨時歡迎同學到訪。

              在迎新活動中，麻省理工學院臺灣同學會本屆幹部，包括會長黃士朋和副會長張浩揚、張麒仙，財務何達睿，活動蔡家晉、黃兆中，楊浩東、Kevin Yang，以及顧問陳韋同等人分工合作，為迎新會安排了豐富的活動。波士頓台灣影展協會的林致中，劍橋合唱團團長陳韋同也在會上做介紹。

麻省理工學院來自台灣的新物理教授廖書珩。(周菊子攝)

              會長黃士朋和幹部群為新生做了非常周全的介紹，包括附上位置地圖的MIT周遭有那些美食，那些超市，學校的CafeBonappetit 學生餐廳提供食物券，有8次免費吃到飽機會，包括太平雪梨齋 (Sidney Pacific)、艾煦屯 (Ashdown)等學生宿舍，每週三、四和每個月的週末，都有早午餐活動，Walker 紀念廳，W20-2F，草皮帳篷等，也常有同學可參加的免費活動，給了新生們許多實用資訊。

MIT本科生部今年有2名臺灣新生。(周菊子攝)

              介紹環節中，令人驚豔的還有駱炯源同學不但是卡默 (Camoo)油管主播，更擁有阿嬤祖傳的剪髮手藝，可以為同學提供剪髮服務。

陳韋同介紹劍橋合唱團刻正招新生。(周菊子攝)

              迎新會中的Trivia問答環節，不但題目有趣，連獎品也別出心裁，有MIT筆記本、資料夾，臺灣永和豆漿和限定版乖乖，以及MIT同學自己設計的Line貼圖，有兔子、松鼠等圖案，就連顧問陳韋同都大方捐贈了一個Amazon Echo Pop做抽獎品，把同學們樂壞了。

林致中介紹訂9月28、29日舉行的第六屆波士頓台灣影展，邀請3名嘉賓出席。 (周菊子攝)

              問答環節的問題中，問MIT的吉祥物 (海狸) ，學校建築物編號，每年在一個特定的時間點，太陽光可以從infinite corridor的一端直射到另一端，這被稱為MIThenge的現象，下次會發生在甚麼時候，MIT的體育課在手槍、步槍，嘻哈等中沒有哪個項目，既是MIT媒體實驗室校友，又是2024年全美籃球聯盟賽冠軍及明星球員的人是哪位 (Jaylen Brown)，1969年登陸月球的太空人中，哪一位是MIT校友等，都讓同學們一邊搶答，一邊笑翻了。

麻省理工學院的迎新活動，這天還吸引來甫從哈佛大學畢業，立即
成立Streamline Bio，還和臺灣台寶生醫簽署合作協議，
將助力台寶拓展美國市場的蕭育舜 (中)。(周菊子攝)

紐英崙中華專業人員協會會長盧彥君(左)因為另一半正在麻省理工研讀，連袂出席。
(周菊子攝)

波士頓市宣佈700萬經費資助首次購屋者及小企業空間計畫

MAYOR MICHELLE WU AND BOSTON CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCE $7 MILLION IN ARPA FUNDING TO BENEFIT FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS AND LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES Funding would help more than 50 families with down payment assistance, acquisition of market-rate properties to grow the affordable housing stock, and support small businesses

 

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu。 Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and city officials. BOSTON - Monday, September 16, 2024 - Today, Mayor Michelle Wu joined members of the Boston City Council, the Boston Housing Authority (BHA), the Mayor’s Office of Housing (MOH), and the Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion (OEOI), to announce the allocation of a $7 million investment of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to bolster Boston’s neighborhoods in three ways: by (1) helping first time home buyers with down payment assistance, (2) acquiring of market-rate properties to grow affordable housing stock, and (3) supporting small businesses, including through the City’s SPACE Grant Program. Mayor Wu today filed an order with the Boston City Council to allocate the $7 million of ARPA funding. Of the total $558.7 million awarded to Boston since 2021, this $7 million represents the remaining amount for the City to allocate toward eligible recovery projects. These investments in affordable housing and local business build on Mayor Wu’s commitment to making Boston a home for everyone.  BHA Administrator Kenzie Bok.  Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and the working group “This $7 million investment prioritizes Boston’s families by building generational wealth through homeownership opportunities and helping our local entrepreneurs make their small business dreams become a reality,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “In Boston, we have used ARPA funds to build innovative new programs that target key issues in our city such as housing, and we’re committed to using these remaining federal dollars to continue these successful initiatives. Congrats to Keanna Rice on her new home through the BHA First Home Program, and all of our city’s first time home buyers.” Chief of Housing Sheila A. Dillon Segun Idowu, Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion "When we talk about investing in people and in our neighborhoods, this is it. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds have allowed the Mayor and the Boston City Council to make transformative investments in housing, small businesses, green energy in affordable housing, culture and the arts, and support for vulnerable populations,” said Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune. “This $7 million is a continuation of that work by further investing in affordable homeownership opportunities and supporting our small business owners. I am proud that the Council and the Mayor continue to collaborate to make sure these funds are helping us build a more prosperous and just city post-pandemic." "As Chair of Boston City Council’s Committee on COVID-19 Recovery, I’m proud of our investments in support of additional investments in housing affordability and small business,” said City Councilor Sharon Durkan. “These $7M in investments continue Boston’s track record in leading the way in utilizing these once-in-a-generation resources to make transformative and sustainable investments to support the recovery and growth of our city – and because of the way we are continuing to steward these resources, Boston’s recovery has made our communities more stable and vibrant.” Mayor Wu has allocated $3 million to the BHA First Home Program, to continue serving BHA families with down payment assistance through 2026. This funding will enable an estimated additional 57 BHA families to purchase homes in Boston. Through this program, the City provides eligible BHA families with enhanced down payment assistance of $75,000 towards the purchase of a home located in Boston and is available to all BHA residents who purchase a home in the city. The BHA First Home Program launched in November 2022 with a $2 million investment from the city and has been an unprecedented success in helping BHA families become homeowners. To date it has helped over 50 BHA residents buy homes in Boston. This additional funding is critical in affording BHA tenants the opportunity to build wealth through homeownership. The demand for this program is high, and today’s announcement would enable the program to continue for two more years and double the number of families becoming homebuyers in the city of Boston. “The First Home Program is a representation of everything we hope to achieve at the Boston Housing Authority, and the Mayor’s investment has allowed this program and BHA families to flourish beyond our wildest expectations,” said BHA Administrator Kenzie Bok. “This program has already enabled more than 50 BHA families to achieve homeownership and self sufficiency, establishing the intergenerational wealth that can lift families out of poverty and help close Boston's racial wealth gap. We are thrilled that the Mayor and City Councilors support doubling down on this successful program to help more of our families.” “Buying a home has always been a goal for me and my family, having a home to call my own and securing generational wealth for the future. No matter your current financial status, buying a house in today's market is extremely difficult and costly, but this program gave me leverage,” said BHA First Home Program participant Keanna Rice.  “As I stand in my new home, I am filled with a sense of accomplishment and gratitude. I look forward to creating lasting memories in this space, building equity for my future, and establishing roots.” An additional $3 million of this ARPA funding will go to further address the City’s need to prevent displacement and increase affordable housing opportunities through MOH’s Acquisition Opportunity Program. This program supports the acquisition of market-rate buildings by responsible, mission-oriented developers to stabilize tenancies and create long-term income restricted housing for low- and moderate-income renters. This new funding allocation will leverage approximately $9 million of private financing to support the acquisition of additional apartments buildings and stabilize the tenancies of households at risk of displacement. The Acquisition Opportunity Program (AOP) provides funding to nonprofit and for-profit organizations to acquire occupied, rental properties that are typically renting at below market rates. The residents of these properties are at risk of displacement if the property is sold and the units are then converted to condominiums or they are maintained as rental properties and the rent is increased. The City’s AOP has helped hundreds of properties remain affordable in almost every neighborhood of the City; from Chinatown to Mattapan, preventing displacement and promoting neighborhood stability. "The City’s Acquisition Opportunity Program allows organizations to acquire occupied residential buildings removing them from the speculative market.  These acquisitions provide tenant stability and increase the City’s inventory of income restricted homes,” said Chief of Housing Sheila A. Dillon. “The additional investment of ARPA funds will allow us to continue and expand the work of protecting and preserving affordable housing in the City, allowing residents to live and thrive in their communities.” Small businesses, especially those industries most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, will receive $1 million of this ARPA investment. The funding will support the City’s SPACE Grant Program, providing grants to business owners seeking to occupy vacant storefronts. The City will soon announce the third and final round of the SPACE Grant program. In the first two rounds, the City helped 61 small businesses either open their first brick and mortar location or expand using $7.5 million in funding.  “Thanks to the leadership of the Biden Harris Administration and our delegation in Congress, Mayor Wu and our team have been able to invest millions of dollars in Boston’s small businesses, helping to build wealth and establish vibrancy across all of our neighborhoods,” said Segun Idowu, Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion. “Our team is grateful to Mayor Wu and the City Council for further investments in this transformative program, which has created new jobs and given dreams the space to grow.” The SPACE Grant Program has been a key part of the city’s downtown recovery and support for local entrepreneurs throughout Boston’s neighborhoods. Businesses in the program have created nearly 600 new jobs, and a quarter of the grantees are now open and operating in the city, with the rest signing leases or in lease negotiations. This funding will help continue the success of this program, with an emphasis on filling vacant storefronts in Downtown Boston.

波士頓慈濟新設劍橋服務站 招睞年輕人親炙慈濟理念

波士頓慈濟「音樂夜」部分出席者合影。(周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州報導) 慈濟基金會波士頓聯絡處最近新增劍橋市外展中心，9月13日晚以一場，「音樂夜」演唱會，揭櫫這新設服務站以年輕人為主要對象，希望藉由年輕人喜歡的活動，帶年輕人進入慈濟世界。

波士頓慈濟負責人長金滿(右一)、主持人陳筠媞(右二)和Chromaphony Project
的表演者及製作人合影。(周菊子攝)

                           慈濟波士頓聯絡處負責人長金滿表示，慈濟希望更多年輕人能夠認識到行善，注重環保，讓世界變得更美好，是慈濟一以貫之，持續致力的理念。波士頓很幸運，有善長仁翁及許多志工支持，在牛頓市自置會所、在波士頓市華埠租地成立社福站之後，現在跨進劍橋市，拓展服務。

波士頓慈濟的劍橋市外展服務中心將由陳筠媞(見圖) 和宋永麒主持。 (周菊子攝)

             13日晚的「慈濟音樂夜」由慈濟和Chromaphony Project合作，陳筠媞主持，安排了在金屬樂隊Archon Theory中演奏的吉他歌手Costa Maitoglou，住在波士頓的挪威籍製作人兼歌手、歌曲作家Tiril Jackson，主要演唱節奏及藍調歌曲的伯克利音樂學院歌手鄧周宏燁，既是博主、文青，也創作歌曲的安奈包，在伯克利音樂學院在讀，2023年贏得Ibanez 飛指吉他大賽季軍的王宸等音樂人表演。

在波士頓已頗負盛名，創辦了「Boston You&Me」樂隊的黃崇校和當年與他在臺灣一起闖過「五度五關」拿下五燈獎冠軍的美嬌娘歐陽珊，這晚在出席者推擁中也上台合唱了「月亮代表我的心」等歌曲。

演唱者之一。(周菊子攝)

                       波士頓慈濟有心藉著在劍橋市設立據點，加強和年輕人之間的聯繫。8月中旬時，在慈濟總部IT大將應詩白、何淑蓉回波士頓助陣中，舉辦了一場「全球影響及青年領導力」座談。

長金滿表示，波士頓慈濟希望有更多年輕人加入行善、愛地球行列，新設的劍橋市外展中心，將由陳筠媞和宋永麒主持，歡迎年輕人參與，提供該舉辦些甚麼活動的意見。 (12/22/2024 更新標題)

黃崇校、歐陽珊夫婦被推擁上台獻唱。(波士頓慈濟提供)

演唱者之一。(周菊子攝)

演唱者之一。(周菊子攝)

馮美霞(右起)、簡小芳、陳筠媞一起為劍橋市外展中心活動出力。(周菊子攝)

波士頓慈濟8月中在劍橋市外展中心舉辦「全球影響及青年領導力」座談。
應詩白(第二排左四)、何淑蓉(第二排左三)和波士頓慈濟負責人長金滿
(第二排右四)和部分出席者大合照。(周菊子攝)

麻州勞工廳撥款逾100萬元支持學徒培訓

Massachusetts Awarded More Than $1 Million For Registered Apprenticeship US Department of Labor Award is part of Biden-Harris Administration’s Effort to Diversify, Expand Registered Apprenticeship Programs in States BOSTON, MA – Today, at the Massachusetts Apprenticeship Council meeting, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced that the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) awarded $1,052,584 for Massachusetts to support Registered Apprenticeship as a training and employment strategy for emerging industries. This awarded USDOL grant builds on the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s commitment to expand Registered Apprenticeship, a proven workforce strategy that combines technical and on-the-job training for workers, delivers industry-recognized credentials, and increases access to progressive wage increases and good-paying jobs. “Our administration is committed to expanding Registered Apprenticeship for more industries, supporting business growth, a stronger workforce, and economic competitiveness in regions across Massachusetts,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’re grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration and USDOL for providing these critical funds to build the workforce we need to deliver on key infrastructure projects, from roads and bridges to clean energy and resiliency in Massachusetts.”   “Registered Apprenticeship is a successful workforce development model that our administration is committed to expanding,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “The Biden-Harris Administration’s investment will help us not only achieve our goals but further our efforts and reach even more individuals and businesses.” Through the USDOL, State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula grants support states to engage industry partners, create post-secondary education career pathways and develop the talent pipeline needed to meet the skill needs of their local labor markets. The investments are part of the second round of State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula funding the department has awarded. The funding advances the Biden-Harris administration’s goals to expand, modernize and diversify Registered Apprenticeship for all American workers, including women, people of color, individuals with disabilities and other underserved communities.  “As part of our workforce agenda, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is bridging partnerships through strategies like Registered Apprenticeship to close skills gaps and create more pathways for untapped talent in Massachusetts,” said  Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones. “We appreciate the support of the Biden-Harris Administration so we can leverage new funding that will provide meaningful career pathways across several high growth industries and with committed employers ready to build their workforce in Massachusetts.”   “Building on the investments made by the Healey-Driscoll administration and the Legislature, these federal grant funds will help us grow high quality apprenticeship programs in the Commonwealth,” said Undersecretary Josh Cutler. “Our team at the Division of Apprentice Standards is ready to leverage these funds, engage with more employers, and unlock opportunities for Massachusetts jobseekers and workers.” The USDOL award for Massachusetts builds on the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s commitment to growing Registered Apprenticeship. In February, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced $5 million in Apprenticeship Expansion and Opportunity Grants, including a combination of state and federal funds, to 25 organizations to train and place apprentices across the state. The FY25 budget continued these investments with nearly $3.5 million to support registered apprenticeship and expand to industries like health care, life sciences, education, and advanced manufacturing while also enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion for the construction and building trades. The Healey-Driscoll Administration’s $1 billion tax cut package included expanded eligibility for the Registered Apprenticeship Tax Credit, which offers employers a $4,800 credit for each apprentice hired.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces the Launch of the 2024 COASTSWEEP Beach Cleanup

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces the Launch of the 2024 COASTSWEEP Beach Cleanup

All Are Encouraged to Come Out and Help Clean the Coast!

 

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced that the official start of the 2024 COASTSWEEP beach cleanup will be on Saturday, September 21. The public is encouraged to volunteer at one of the dozens of cleanup events planned along the coast this fall. The COASTSWEEP cleanups, organized by the Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM), take place until early November. Since 1987, more than 100,000 COASTSWEEP volunteers have removed over a million pounds of marine debris and other trash from Massachusetts beaches, lakes, rivers, and the seafloor.

 

“Massachusetts is home to a beautiful coastline that needs our care. It is our turn to give back to the beaches we cherish,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Taking part in the COASTSWEEP cleanup is a meaningful way to demonstrate our commitment to preserving the Massachusetts coast and ensuring they remain clean and inviting for all.”

 

“Thank you to the thousands of volunteers that have participated in COASTSWEEP since 1987,” said CZM Director Alison Brizius. “The data you’ve collected shows that much of the trash found on beaches starts as litter on our streets, so along with participating in a COASTSWEEP cleanup this fall, we can all do our part all year long by always properly disposing of trash.”

 

COASTSWEEP is part of the International Coastal Cleanup, organized by Ocean Conservancy, and draws hundreds of thousands of volunteers to coastal cleanups in 120 countries worldwide. In addition to removing trash, COASTSWEEP volunteers tally the items found. This information is entered into Ocean Conservancy’s international marine debris database, where it helps researchers and policymakers better understand the sources of global marine debris and develop solutions for prevention.

 

Marine debris is more than an eyesore. Wildlife can be entangled or choked when they encounter this material, tiny pieces of plastic enter the water column and food chain, people can step on sharp objects on the beach, boat propellors can get jammed, and so much more.

 

During COASTSWEEP 2023, more than 3,000 volunteers removed over 23 tons of trash from 165 sites, with a total of 63,517 pieces of marine debris collected along Massachusetts shorelines. As in past years, cigarette butts were the most common item found (11,558 total), followed by plastic pieces (6,542). Many other plastic items were removed and cataloged—including food wrappers, bottles and caps, straws, and foam packaging—for a total of 32,279 plastic and foam items tallied.

 

A great way to get involved in COASTSWEEP is to organize a cleanup. All supplies (bags, gloves, data cards, pencils, etc.) are provided free of charge, and cleanups can be scheduled at your convenience. Individuals can also volunteer at a scheduled cleanup. To organize or join a cleanup, check out the COASTSWEEP website or email coastsweep@mass.gov. COASTSWEEP 2024 sponsors are EEA, CZM, Ocean Conservancy, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), and Tronex, a personal protective equipment company that provided gloves for the cleanups.

 

The Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) is the lead policy and planning agency on coastal and ocean issues within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Through planning, technical and grant assistance, and public information programs, CZM seeks to balance the impacts of human activity with the protection of coastal and marine resources. The agency’s work includes helping coastal communities address the challenges of storms, sea level rise, and other effects of climate change; working with state, regional, and federal partners to balance current and new uses of ocean waters while protecting ocean habitats and promoting sustainable economic development; and partnering with communities and other organizations to protect and restore coastal water quality and habitats

Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates Over $40 Million in Federal Education Funding to Support Literacy and Student Assessments

Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates Over $40 Million in Federal Education Funding to Support Literacy and Student Assessments 

Funding to build on Administration's new Literacy Launch Initiative  

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration is celebrating that Massachusetts has been awarded more than $40 million from the Biden-Harris administration to support the state’s literacy efforts and continued work to improve standardized assessments over the next five years.  

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has been awarded the Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant, the largest literacy grant offered by the federal government, receiving $38.4 million over the next five years. Massachusetts previously received this award and used it to create GLEAM, Growing Literacy Equity Across Massachusetts. This new funding will build on Literacy Launch and previous GLEAM grants to expand evidence-based and culturally and linguistically sustaining practices for English language arts and literacy in grades pre-K through 12 through additional grants to districts and schools.   

“Every student in Massachusetts needs to be able to read and read well. That’s why we created Literacy Launch to provide districts with the tools to make sure their students are receiving high-quality, evidence-based reading material. I'm grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration for this funding that will help us reach even more districts and students with these important resources,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Statewide assessments are an important measure of student achievement and help us ensure students across Massachusetts are receiving the high-quality education they deserve. This federal funding will enable high-quality instruction and on-going assessments in the critical science and technology STEM fields.”  

“Education is a top priority for our administration, including strengthening access to high-quality reading material and reducing inequitable gaps in achievement,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “One critical area of focus is around literacy and helping our students to read well. Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration and U.S. Department of Education, we can accelerate our efforts to provide Massachusetts’ local school districts and communities with the evidence-based literacy tools they need to set students up for success in school and life.”  

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has been working in close partnership with over 50 teachers and with feedback from thousands of students to create the innovative science and technology/engineering state assessment for grades 5 and 8 that includes investigations using computer simulations, as well as hands-on classroom-based assessments utilizing manipulatives and group work. The administration is being awarded $3.9 million this coming year through the Comprehensive Grants for State Assessments. The funding will provide professional development to science educators and support development of new curriculum-embedded science performance tasks for students in kindergarten through grade 8. These tasks will allow educators to assess students’ knowledge in real-time as part of on-going learning. The grant will also support districts in adopting high-quality science instructional materials.  

“In Massachusetts, we are prioritizing literacy because of the simple, yet profound reality that establishing literacy skills early is not only foundational to the remainder of a students’ education, it becomes a foundational marker for the remainder of their life. With Literacy Launch and this additional funding for literacy grants, we are providing districts with tools and resources to see to it that all students learn to read and read well,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “The federal funding will also support our continued efforts to improve standardized assessments and student experiences with them. The new science and technology/engineering state assessment is more dynamic, hands-on, and reflective of real-world experiences, engaging students in STEM.”  

“These significant federal investments will help more Massachusetts students become successful readers and improve science instruction and assessment,” said Acting Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Russell Johnston. “The grants are a huge boost for two of our goals: having individualized supports that enable all students to excel at grade level or beyond, and creating learning experiences that are relevant, real-world, and interactive.”  

The state’s fiscal year 2025 budget includes $20 million for Governor Healey’s Literacy Launch Initiative: Reading Success from Age 3 through Grade 3, a bold strategy to expand access to evidence-based reading instruction for Massachusetts students. The initiative will provide competitive grants to school districts to adopt high-quality literacy materials and provide technical support, coaching, and professional development to educators. Literacy Launch builds on the multi-year technical support and funding for improvements in literacy teaching and materials DESE has offered since 2020, including GLEAM.   

The federal government requires that states administer to all students annual statewide assessments for specific grades and subject areas, including science. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education piloted the innovative science and technology/engineering state assessment for grades 5 and 8 during 2020–2023 with groups of students. A larger pilot took place in spring 2024 with approximately 12,000 students per grade.  

Here is a sampling of the feedback DESE has received on the science assessment: 

"This is teaching us to expand the knowledge and experience of our students in a way to put real-life problems in front of them." — Science teacher from 2022 science pilot assessment 

"I liked that we were able to use our own data from our own experiments and not take them out of an article or a data table like usual." — Grade 8 student from 2021 science pilot assessment