In a message from Interim Commissioner Patrick Tutwiler and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) on April 9, 2025, the Department responded to the recent USED Request for Certification. Following is the DESE message to Superintendents, Charter School Leaders, Assistant Superintendents, and Leaders of Educational Collaboratives.
“On April 3, DESE and other state education agencies received a message from the U.S. Education Department saying that the state must certify compliance with antidiscrimination obligations in order to continue receiving federal financial assistance. Additional information is available in this press release from the U.S. Education Department. We understand that local education agencies also received the certification message.
Today, Massachusetts sent this letter to the U.S. Education Department in response. It states that Massachusetts has previously certified compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and those certifications remain in effect.
Massachusetts is home to the best K-12 schools in the country. We know that having people of diverse perspectives and backgrounds — as educators, administrators, and leaders in our education system — is a strength, not a flaw. Consistent with longstanding federal law, Massachusetts will continue to promote diversity in our schools, because we know it improves outcomes for all of our students, and we have more work to do.
Thank you for all you do for your students, for your work to identify and address opportunity and achievement gaps, and for your work to help bring DESE’s Educational Vision to life, including by helping all students feel known and valued.”
Copyright © 2025 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, All rights reserved.
