Massachusetts School and District Profiles

Elms College
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Previous year
2025
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Annual Goals

This report lists the annual improvement goals reported to ESE in the educator preparation program provider’s state annual report. Providers may report up to three goals for the upcoming year and are asked to report on progress made toward the prior year’s goals. Annual goals are reported in May of the academic year listed.

Data last updated May 14, 2026.

Annual Goals - 2025
Educator preparation program improvement goals for the upcoming program year
Goal #1 Enhancing Field-Based Experiences to the Professional Standards for Teaching standard III: Family and Community Engagement In the upcoming academic year, the Education Division at Elms College will prioritize the intentional integration of Professional Standards for Teachers – Standard III: Family and Community Engagement into field-based experiences. Practicum students will receive structured support and various concrete examples to help them understand and demonstrate competencies in the three key components of the standard: III-A Communication with Families, III-B Family Engagement, and III-C Collaboration. This focus will ensure that students are not only aware of the importance of family and community engagement but are also prepared to meet this standard effectively during their practicum experience.
Goal #2 Deepening the Use of Literacy Data to Drive Continuous Improvement Building on the foundational work established in the first year, the Education Division at Elms College will deepen its commitment to intentional and collaborative use of literacy data in partnership with our advisory council and stakeholders. In year two, we will focus on analyzing trends over time, identifying areas for targeted support, and using data to inform ongoing curriculum alignment and instructional decision-making. Continued tracking of student performance on the MTEL Foundations of Reading exam and the integration of early literacy content across the curriculum will guide meaningful dialogue and action during Advisory Council meetings. This next phase aims to move beyond data collection to more strategic implementation and continuous improvement efforts that enhance literacy instruction and student success across the educator preparation program.
Goal #3 Establish a Cohort Model for the Initial Licensure Needs of the Springfield Empowerment Zone (SEZP) To support the educator workforce within the Springfield Empowerment Zone, the Education Division at Elms College will implement a targeted cohort model designed to meet the unique initial licensure needs of SEZP teachers. Year One will focus on launching the first cohort within the MAT Initial Licensure program in Moderate Disabilities (Grades 8–12). Year Two will expand the initiative by launching a second cohort focused on MAT Initial Licensure in Mathematics (Grades 5–8 or 8–12). This strategic approach will help SEZP educators transition from provisional, emergency, or waiver licenses to full initial licensure, supporting teacher development, retention, and long-term success in the classroom.

Annual Goals - 2024
Educator preparation program improvement goals from the prior year
Goal #1 To enhance culturally relevant literacy within the education division at Elms College by integrating diverse perspectives, histories, and experiences into the curriculum and pedagogical practices, fostering a more inclusive and equitable learning environment for all students.
Goal #2 Increase the opportunities that teacher candidates within the education division at Elms College are exposed to High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIMs) by building a library of HQIMs at Elms College to use with students during course work and creating a directory of schools and districts that actively utilize HQIMS to identify practicum sites where Elms students are placed for field experiences.
Goal #3 Establish a framework within the education division at Elms College for the intentional mutual sharing of literacy data with our established advisory council/partners, facilitating collaborative analysis and exploration of effective strategies for leveraging this data to inform instructional practices, curriculum development, and policy decisions aimed at enhancing student literacy outcomes.

Annual Goals - 2023
Educator preparation program improvement goals from the prior year
Goal #1 A focus for the newly created Advisory Council will be to hear the feedback from the stakeholders and address their suggestions. The division will communicate new and timely program information with the stakeholders at planned meetings in the upcoming academic year.
Goal #2 The division will continue to assess the types of MTEL preparation needs for our students. MTEL activities have included: assigning vouchers to students for particular assessments after completion of a related course, implementing a weekend MTEL Boot Camp, and providing video and review resources to students. These activities will be evaluated to determine if they are continued or if any changes are needed.
Goal #3 The division is focusing on including culturally relevant practices in current syllabi. A subgroup is identifying resources for each division member to use when updating syllabi. The subgroup is also creating a plan to determine the process and timetable for addressing each of the syllabi.