MTEL and Licensure News and Updates

Proposed new state regulations requiring Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Endorsement

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is seeking public comment required proposed new amendments to teacher licensure and renewal laws and regulations. The proposed amendments are interconected and part of a comprehensive redesign of standards and knowledge essential for core academic teachers who provide sheltered English instruction to English language learners. Please go to the ESE website to review the proposed amendments and to submit comments. Comments must be submitted by April 20.

All MTELs migrating to Computer-Based Testing

Beginning September 2012, a total of six MTEL tests will be available ONLY on computer:

• Communication & Literacy Skills (Reading and Writing subtests)*
• Foundations of Reading*
• General Curriculum (Multi-Subject and Mathematics subtests)*
• Early Childhood*
• English**
• History**

* Tests will be available for scheduling year-round.

** Tests will be available for scheduling during six two-week windows throughout the program year.

The final paper-based administration of the above tests will be on July 14, 2012. Thereafter, candidates will schedule their own test dates via the MTEL website; about 12 additional tests will be available on computer by fall 2013.

Candidates can currently choose to take the Communication & Literacy Skills and the Foundations of Reading  on a computer at a professional testing site. The MTEL program website has more details and an on-screen tutorial. There is an additional computer testing service fee of $25. There are no late or emergency registration fees with computer testing since candidates will be responsible for registering for their own testing appointment; however, slots fill up quickly, so plan accordingly and register early. 

Conditional Pass for General Curriculum Math subtest will end after May 12, 2012 test administration

As of the July 2012 MTEL, candidates must earn a 240 to receive a passing score on the General Curriculum Math subtest. See Advisory from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education [pdf] for details.

Alert: Candidates who earn a Conditional Pass on General Curriculum Math Subtest will not be able to move a Preliminary license to Initial until scoring 240 on the subtest

Candidates who earn a scaled score of 227-239 on the General Curriculum Math Subtest will have passed the subtest for the purpose of their first stage of licensure (referred to as a "conditional pass"). These candidates must retake the math subtest and earn a score of 240 in order to renew their license or move up to the next stage of licensure. Thus, if candidates earn a Preliminary license based on a conditional pass, they will not be granted an Initial license, even when completing a Lesley initial licensure program, unless and until they have passed the General Curriculum Math Subtest with a 240.

Therefore, Lesley recommends that candidates who have a "conditional" pass on the General Curriculum Math subtest not apply for a Preliminary license, but wait until completing the program and then apply for the Initial license (unless required by their job or other extenuating circumstances).

The Conditional Pass option ends June 2012. Beginning July 2012, candidates taking the General Curriculum Math subtest must earn at least a 240 to pass.

Paperless system for licensure

The Department's Licensure Office has discontinued offering hard-copy licenses as of April 28, 2011. The online Educator Licensure and Recruitment (ELAR) system will serve as the official record of educator licensure and most correspondence will be via email. Educators may print unofficial copies of their license or request paper duplicates ($25).

Paperless system for MTEL Score Reports

Electronic individual score reporting will be implemented beginning with the September 2011 test administration, replacing paper score report mailings. Candidates will be able to access, print and save their own individual score reports via a secure website for 45 days following the score report date.

Licensure Application Review

Applications will not be reviewed until the ESE Licensure Office has received payment, official transcripts and notification of passing scores on the MTEL Communication & Literacy Tests. (MTEL scores are automatically received from MTEL vendor.)

Although Lesley Certification Office has attempted to ensure that the information contained on the website is accurate and complete at the time of posting, the contents are subject to change at any time.