Thank you for your interest in the DESE Science Curriculum Adaptations for special Education (SCAPE) program. This application is for districts who would like to be considered for participation in the 2025-2026 institute.
The institute will be facilitated by a collaborative team of DESE Center for Instructional Support staff, and staff from Academic Discoveries, Inc.
The institute will be composed of:
- One in-person, 2-day institute in Southborough, MA on September 30 and October 1, 2025.
- Three 2-hour virtual sessions held throughout the rest of the school year, dates TBD based on district availability
- Three mandatory rounds of classroom observations
- Optional virtual workshops, technical support, and school visits
In the institute, DESE Science staff and a team of facilitators from Academic Discoveries, Inc. will provide learning experiences focused on science HQIM, Universal Design for Learning, adaptive technologies for students with disabilities, school and district structures and systems to support collaboration and inclusion, orientations to DESE observation and unit unpacking tools, and time for planning, networking and collaboration.
Preference will be given to districts that use a high-quality curriculum for their core, tier 1 science instruction.
Districts should plan to send a collaborative team, minimally consisting of science and special education leaders. The ideal team would contain:
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An individual who makes decisions about district professional learning content for science/general education teachers
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An individual who provides instructional support, coaching, and/or supervision for teachers
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An individual who oversees or supports special education programming for students in the district
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An individual with some level of oversight over scheduling for the district
These roles may overlap, or be further split up in certain contexts! Districts may also send representatives or proxies for any of these roles in the instance that the target individual is not available for both days of the in-person institute. The goal is for participants to build their collective understanding of how to best support educators in implementing HQIM for learners of all abilities.
Please continue with this survey if you are interested in participating. The survey will close on
Friday, June 6. Districts will be notified of their status within a week of the application closing.