The Role and Responsibilities of the Secretary of Education in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Secretary of Education plays a pivotal role in shaping the educational landscape of the Commonwealth. This executive position oversees the state's education agencies and works to ensure that every student is prepared for future success.

Overview of the Secretary of Education

The Massachusetts Secretary of Education is a state executive position within the Massachusetts state government. The secretary directs the Executive Office of Education and oversees the state's three education agencies:

The Department of Early Education and Care
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
The Department of Higher Education
The University of Massachusetts

The Executive Office of Education and the position of secretary of education were proposed by the Governor. As of now, the acting Massachusetts Secretary of Education is Amy Kershaw (nonpartisan).

Appointment and Oversight

The Massachusetts Secretary of Education is one of 10 members appointed by the governor to the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). The BESE is composed of 11 members: 10 are appointed by the governor, including his Secretary of Education, who serves ex officio, and one is a public school student elected by his or her peers. The Chairperson of the BOE is appointed by the governor.

The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE)

The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) is the state education agency responsible for interpreting and implementing laws relevant to public education in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Public education in the Commonwealth is organized according to the regulations adopted by the BESE, which are good faith interpretations of Massachusetts state and federal law.

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The BESE is composed of 11 members. The 11 voting members are: "the chairman of the student advisory council established under this section; 1 representative of a labor organization selected by the governor from a list of 3 nominees provided by the Massachusetts State Labor Council, AFL-CIO; 1 representative of business or industry selected by the governor with a demonstrated commitment to education; 1 representative of parents of school children selected by the governor from a list of 3 nominees provided by the Massachusetts Parent Teachers Association; and 6 members selected by the governor."

The secretary of the BESE must be approved by a two thirds vote and serves at the Board's pleasure as the chief executive officer, the Chief State School Officer for Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education. The Commissioner attends BESE meetings, but does not vote. A number of Advisory Councils support the Board with research, recommendations and-in the case of the Student Advisory Council-is represented by a voting member of the Board.

The BESE is unique in that 1 of its 11 members is a Massachusetts public school student. Legislation filed in 1971 by Governor Francis W. Sargent created the position. By this same legislation, the Massachusetts State Student Advisory Council was established. The Chairperson of this Council sits as a full voting member on the BESE.

Key Responsibilities

The Massachusetts Secretary of Education has several key responsibilities, including:

Directing the Executive Office of Education.
Overseeing the Department of Early Education and Care, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Department of Higher Education, and the University of Massachusetts.
Serving as an ex officio member of the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE).
Approving learning standards.
Voting on charter school applications.
Deciding when to intervene in the state's lowest-performing districts.
Hiring the commissioner.

BESE's Mission

The mission of the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) is to strengthen the Commonwealth's public education system so that every student is prepared to succeed in postsecondary education, compete in the global economy, and understand the rights and responsibilities of American citizens, and in so doing, to close all proficiency gaps.

BESE's Responsibilities

BESE's responsibilities include approving learning standards, voting on charter school applications, deciding when to intervene in the state's lowest-performing districts, and hiring the commissioner. The Board includes the secretary of education, a student (the president of the State Student Advisory Council), and nine members appointed by the governor. Board meetings are normally held on the fourth Tuesday of every month. at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and are streamed online , unless otherwise noted.

Historical Context

The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) was established in 1837 and is the second oldest state board of education in the United States. Governor Edward Everett had recommended the establishment of a board of education in his address to the 1837 legislature's opening session.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Understanding the role of the Secretary of Education requires understanding the broader context of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Key aspects of the Commonwealth's structure include:

Legislature: The Massachusetts Legislature is a bicameral body consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives. The Senate has members who are elected to two-year terms in even-numbered years. The House of Representatives has members who are elected to two-year terms in even-numbered years. A bill must originate within the House of Representatives, and the Senate may amend it. The Governor has the power to veto legislation, but the Legislature can override a veto with a two-thirds vote of each house.
Judiciary: The judicial branch includes the Supreme Judicial Court, the Appeals Court, and the Trial Court. The Supreme Judicial Court may hear cases directly from the Trial Court.
Local Government: Local government is typically organized around a mayor-and-council or manager-and-council form, or periodic open or representative town meetings.

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education provides leadership, oversight, funding, support, and accountability for the Commonwealth's approximately 400 school districts that educate close to 1 million public school children each year. We also oversees programs that serve 20,000 adult learners each year. The Department's work is divided into nine areas: administration and finance, deeper learning, district support, educational options, instructional support, legal, planning and research, strategic initiatives, and student assessment.

The Importance of Collaboration and Communication

Effective school committee-superintendent relationships are essential for the success of public schools. Communication is the centerpiece of these relationships and is the foundation that will nurture a climate conducive to growth. Strong collaborative leadership from school committees and superintendents must be a driving force in dealing with the direct and indirect challenges facing our society and our schools. Harmonious and productive relationships between school committees and super-intendents will flourish if two-way communication is established and maintained.

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