Youth MOVE is a youth-driven, chapter membership organization focused on improving systems and services that support positive growth and development. This includes training and professional development for mental health workers, with a focus on strengthening youth voice, peer support, and leadership in systems of care. Other tools and resources are designed specifically for young people, to use themselves or in their role as a peer supporter or advocate.

These tools provide an orientation to different mental health and social emotional/behavioral assessment screeners schools can use to identify students who may need targeted or intensive support. The SHAPE library is free to use but requires users to register for an account.

Explore different shifts and improvements four districts made in order to implement a stronger MTSS approach. These case studies are based on interviews with leaders from each district in early 2020 after 1-3 years of MTSS implementation (varied by district). The case studies include discussion questions teams can use to unpack strategies and lessons learned.

Tools to help educator preparation and district partnerships develop systems for placing and supporting student teachers with the goal of improving student outcomes and building a pipeline from student teaching to employment.

A quick reference guide focused on ensuring instruction aligns across classrooms and tiers in ways that maximize student learning.

This collection of short, user-friendly tip sheets and tools help schools think about the infrastructure and supports they need for a strong multi-tiered system of support.

OpenSciEd is a Next Generation Science standards-aligned curriculum for elementary, middle, and high school students and is designed for how students learn science best. From 2018 to 2025, Massachusetts contributed to the development of these open-source K–12 science instructional materials through collaboration on scope and sequence, design specifications, and the instructional model of the curricular materials. The curriculum is available to download for free from the OpenSciEd website.

In 2023, MA DESE released an updated Comprehensive Health and Physical Education (CHPE) Curriculum Framework that provides standards and guidance for effective CHPE programs. This guide is intended to provide districts with an overview of how available CHPE curricula align with the CHPE Framework.

This DESE video series provides close-up examples of strong daily instructional practices that create the conditions for deeper learning experiences. The collection includes PK-12 examples in math, literacy/ELA, ESL, history, and science.

Investigating History is a comprehensive, authentic, inquiry-based curriculum aligned to the 2018 History/Social Science Framework, developed by DESE in collaboration with teachers, history scholars, and organizations across Massachusetts. Units for Grades 5-7 are available now. Pilot materials for Grades 3 and 4 are available to preview, with revised units available in summer 2026. The curriculum is available at no-cost to districts.

Access session materials from the February 2020 MTSS Planning Institute opportunity, developed as a follow-up to the September 2019 MTSS Leadership Institute based on educator requests for additional learning opportunities and facilitated planning time.

Note: The Massachusetts MTSS Blueprint was updated in 2025. Many tools from the 2020 institute are aligned to older 2018 version of the Blueprint.

Use this series of short 1-2 minute videos to introduce family members to English Learner Education. Available in English, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Use CASEL’s online tool to review and compare programs that help students develop strong social and emotional skills. Search by grade or grade level, program approach, setting, student characteristics, and other criteria.

Learn about high school improvement efforts at three Boston schools — East Boston High, 2023 School on the Move Winner, and two finalists, Boston Green Academy and Fenway High.

Use this video collection to learn about ways educators in schools across Massachusetts are transforming professional learning using a variety of collaborative and lesson internalization methods.

Learn how five different schools approach the challenge of creating meaningful advisories for high school students.

This guide helps educators put high school students at the center of conferencing. Tools include a student engagement matrix and strategies for engaging students who are in different places, conference planning and student preparation steps, a conference meeting protocol, coaching tips, and examples.

This online training module for special educators and IEP teams provides an overview of the IEP process and related requirements including timelines, family communication, and key questions for determining eligibility.

This online interactive training module was developed by DESE and guided by partnership work with LEAP districts and collaboratives. It is intended to deepen understanding of the impact that poverty can have on student performance.

Learn how to use 5-10 week cycles and a family workshop model to engage family members more deeply in literacy development. The FELA toolkit includes a introductory video, step by step guide; planner for teachers; family, student, and educator commitment sheets, phone scripts, and other resources. Reading tips are available in English and Spanish.