Massachusetts Superintendent Newsletter Guide

Massachusetts superintendents lead districts in a state with high academic expectations, engaged communities, and a commitment to evidence-based practice that has made Massachusetts one of the highest-performing states in the country. Superintendent communication in Massachusetts should reflect that standard: accurate, specific, and grounded in data.

Report MCAS results with full context

MCAS is both the state's primary accountability assessment and a high school graduation requirement. Superintendent newsletters that report MCAS results by grade and subject, with year-over-year comparison and a description of the district's response, give families accurate information about student academic performance and district direction.

Communicate about structured literacy implementation

Massachusetts has required districts to implement evidence-based reading instruction under Chapter 380. Superintendent newsletters that describe what the district is doing to implement structured literacy, what professional development teachers have received, and what the early data shows about student reading progress, connect state requirements to family benefit.

Address DESE district designations if applicable

Massachusetts designates some districts for additional oversight and support based on performance. Superintendent newsletters in designated districts that explain the designation, describe additional resources it brings, and report on what the district is doing in response, build community confidence that the district is accountable and improving.

Communicate about Chapter 70 funding

Massachusetts' Chapter 70 formula governs local education aid. When state budget decisions affect Chapter 70 allocations, superintendent newsletters that explain the impact on local programs build community understanding that can translate into advocacy during budget cycles.

Serve multilingual communities with translated communication

Massachusetts' Gateway Cities have significant multilingual populations. Superintendent newsletters that are routinely translated into Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Haitian Creole, and other community languages, reach more families and send a stronger signal of inclusion than English-only communication.

Sample excerpt

"Our MCAS results are in. In ELA, 62% of our students scored Proficient or Advanced, compared to 59% last year and the state average of 63%. In math, 54% scored Proficient or Advanced, compared to 51% last year. Our grade 10 MCAS pass rate is 91%, which means 9% of this year's sophomores will need to meet the competency determination through another pathway before graduation; all 47 of those students have been identified and are enrolled in our MCAS support program this fall. Our structured literacy implementation is in its first full year; I will share benchmark data in November."

Daystage delivers superintendent newsletters to every family inbox in Massachusetts districts, ensuring that accurate, timely communication about state results and district priorities reaches every family in the community.