[MA] Massachusetts DESE Reporting Deadlines 2026–2027

Massachusetts districts manage several state data collections each year. Each collection has its own reporting date, certification deadline, and review process. Missing a deadline can create avoidable pressure for district data, student information system, human resources, curriculum, and leadership teams.

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has published its 2026–27 reporting schedule for SIMS, EPIMS, SCS, SSDR, and other required collections. This guide highlights the dates that district teams should add to their calendars now.

Massachusetts DESE Reporting Deadlines at a Glance

Always confirm deadlines, definitions, and collection procedures through the DESE Reporting Schedule and Documentation. DESE may update requirements during the school year.

Prioritize SIMS Certification and Recertification

The Student Information Management System, or SIMS, collects student-level data that supports state and federal reporting, program analysis, and district accountability work.

For 2026–27, districts should plan for three SIMS milestones:

• October SIMS: Certify by October 23, 2026, and complete recertification by October 30, 2026.
• March SIMS: Certify by March 26, 2027, and complete recertification by April 2, 2027.
• End-of-Year SIMS: Certify by July 9, 2027, and complete recertification by July 16, 2027.

The recertification period matters. It gives districts time to resolve duplicate student records and complete final corrections. Therefore, teams should not treat the first certification deadline as the end of their work.

Before each SIMS certification, review enrollment, demographics, program participation, school assignments, and exit information. Then, assign a clear owner for each issue that requires follow-up.

Coordinate EPIMS and SCS Data Early

EPIMS collects educator demographics and work-assignment information. Meanwhile, SCS connects students with the courses they take.

Both October collections are due December 11, 2026. Both end-of-year collections are due August 13, 2027.

Because these collections rely on data from different teams, districts should coordinate early. Human resources and school leaders may need to validate EPIMS assignments. Similarly, scheduling, curriculum, and SIS teams may need to review SCS course and student records.

A shared internal schedule helps every team understand when its review must be complete. It also gives the district time to correct source data before the official due date.

Keep Discipline and Other Collections on Track

The School Safety and Discipline Report, or SSDR, is due August 13, 2027. It includes student offense information and suspension, removal, and expulsion data.

Districts should review discipline records throughout the year. Waiting until summer can make it harder to confirm incident details, outcomes, and student information with school staff.

Two additional dates also deserve attention:

• The Non-Public School Report is due December 18, 2026.
• The School Attending Children collection is due February 26, 2027.

Although these collections may involve fewer records, they still need an owner and an internal review date.

Build a District Reporting Calendar

Strong reporting processes do more than list state deadlines. They create time for validation, correction, and leadership review.

A practical district calendar should include:

• DESE certification and recertification dates
• Earlier internal deadlines for data entry and file submission
• Time for data owners to review reports
• A process for resolving errors in the source system
• A final review before certification

For example, a district can schedule its SIMS data review one to two weeks before the certification date. That time allows staff to investigate unusual counts and resolve errors without rushing.

Massachusetts DESE reporting deadlines are easier to manage when data quality becomes part of the district’s regular workflow. Clear ownership, timely reviews, and shared accountability can reduce last-minute corrections and strengthen confidence in every submission.

For additional planning resources, explore MeasureED’s Massachusetts education data resources. Need help strengthening your reporting process or coordinating data across teams? Contact MeasureED.