2026 MSAA Summer Institute

What if family engagement wasn’t another event on the calendar, but a lever for transforming instruction, student motivation, and school culture? In partnership with Acera Education Innovation, our school moved from isolated STEM activities to a cohesive, hands-on learning model that connects curriculum, family engagement, and student excitement about school. What began as an effort to increase attendance and enthusiasm has evolved into a schoolwide approach that integrates experiential learning into both classroom instruction and home-school partnerships. In this interactive session, participants will actively experience one of the hands-on learning structures we use with families, analyze the leadership moves that made it sustainable, and leave with ready-to-implement tools. Whether you're looking to increase family participation, strengthen STEM access, or shift your school culture.

As Massachusetts schools adopt stronger phone policies and respond to AI-driven changes in learning, leaders are seeking approaches that balance clarity, consistency, and student wellbeing. This session presents an MTSS-based framework for implementing phone policies and digital wellbeing practices that extend beyond enforcement. Drawing on guidance from MA DESE and case examples from partner schools, we will examine how to align Tier 1 policy and instruction with Tier 2/3 supports for students affected by distraction, anxiety, cyberbullying, or academic integrity concerns. Participants will leave with a draft implementation roadmap for fall 2026.

Massachusetts’ statewide Portrait of a Graduate provides a shared vision, but schools and districts bring it to life when they design a version that reflects their own community. This session guides participants through creating and operationalizing a local Portrait aligned to the statewide competencies. We’ll explore stakeholder engagement, translating competencies into instruction, and embedding the Portrait into curriculum, culture, and improvement planning. Participants will leave with clear steps for making the Portrait meaningful and actionable.