Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), or sometimes referred by former name the Massachusetts Department of Education, is a Pre-K through Grade 12 state education agency for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. As found under the oversight of the Governor's Executive Office of Education, the DESE is identified by the U.S. Department of Education as the preeminent public education department for Massachusetts. The agency has its department headquarters in Everett.

History

Governance and legal provisions

As outlined by the legal framework of the General Laws, the Departmental Board's Legal Authority is outlined under M.G.L. Chapter 15, Section 1E. It is governed by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). DESE maintain's the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Office of Educator Licensure for public education professionals under the Pre-K, elementary and secondary schooling levels.[2][3]

The department is lead by its own Commissioner, who manages the daily operations of the department, as well as a twelve-member departmental Board of Directors, itself chaired by the State's Secretary of Education, all of whom are appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth and implements policies and goals for the department.