Licensure Orientation for Language and Literacy

Reading Specialist

Overview

• MA Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education Licensure Definitions

• How to Obtain the Reading Specialist License at the Initial Stage

• The Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL)

• How to Upgrade the Reading Specialist License to the Professional Stage

• Recertification: How to Renew a Professional License

• How to Obtain Additional Licenses

a. Change Out-of-State “Teaching” License to a MA “Teaching” License

b. Obtain “Teaching” License in a New Field

c. Obtain “Teaching” License at a New Level

• Create Profile in MA DESE Database

• Required Documents and Processing for Licensure

• The Interstate Agreement - Reciprocity – What Does it Really Mean

MA Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education Licensure Definitions

• “New” Regulations

• - New Regulations: www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/603cmr7.html

• “Primary” License is Reading Specialist

• “Initial” License is the stage of license you will receive upon completing L&L and passing the MTEL

• Grade Level refers to “ALL” for Reading Specialist license

• Practicum means fieldwork

• Field refers to the Subject area of the license

• Validity of License

– - Initial licenses are valid for 5 years of employment in MA, renewable once.

– - Professional licenses are valid for 5 years and are to be renewed through the Recertification process every 5 years.

Obtaining the Reading Specialist License at the Initial Stage See Section 7.07/Specialist Teacher Licensure:

http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/603cmr7.html?section=07

• Prerequisite:

• Possess an Initial level Massachusetts or equivalent out-of-state teaching license

• Possess at least one year of full-time teaching experience under that license

• Additional Requirements:

• Complete L&L Coursework and Fieldwork requirements

• Demonstrate Professional Standards –See Section 7.08: http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/603cmr7.html?section=08

• Pass MTELs: Communication & Literacy Test AND Reading Specialist Test

• Take HGSE SEI course so you can obtain Sheltered English Instruction Endorsement

MTEL

• Test Dates and related information -- computer based testing • (See MTEL Bulletin http://www.mtel.nesinc.com/)Parts of Exam:

– C&L (4 Hour Exam / Reading and Writing Subtests)– Reading Specialist Exam (4 Hour Exam)

• Passing Score- Reading 240 / Writing 240 / Subject 240 • Cost: http://www.mtel.nesinc.com/MA16_testfees.asp

Testing Locations (Select Boston/Cambridge area if you have no car)

• Thumbprint Taken at Test Site• Who Has Access to Your Scores?

• You/DESE/HGSE/Other Institutions Upon Your Request

MTEL Prep Resources***

– Online http://www.mtel.nesinc.com/ and http://www.mtel.nesinc.com/MA16_whatsnew.asp (review important details and news)

– http://www.mtel.nesinc.com/MA_PT_opener.asp (practice tests)– MA DESE http://www.doe.mass.edu/mtel/– Gutman Library resources

• Section 7.07 of the regulations will give you a sense of the breadth of topics on Subject Matter Exams-(scroll down to Reading)

http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/603cmr7.html?section=07

***Your work with your academic program prepares you for the Reading Specialist MTEL

MTEL Test Prep Resourcesand Test Timing Considerations

• Section 7.07 of the regulations will give you a sense of the breadth of topics on Subject Matter Exams-(scroll down to Reading)

http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/603cmr7.html?section=07

• Timing your MTEL: http://www.mtel.nesinc.com/PDFs/MTEL_2015_2016_TestDates.pdf

– Consider taking Communication and Literature Test early– Plan to take BEFORE 3/12/16 Reading Specialist (08) test

• http://www.mtel.nesinc.com/MA16_testdates.asp?pagetype=PBT

Future Planning: Upgrading the Reading Specialist License from Initial to Professional

– Requirements: http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/603cmr7.html?section=04

a) Possession of an Initial Reading Specialist license

b) Three years of full-time employment (which includes a 1-year Induction Program) See: http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/603cmr7.html?section=12

c) 50 hours of a mentored experience beyond the one year induction

d) Complete coursework requirements: (understand nuances of options)

Recertification

• When is it applicable?– The end of the 5th year of having a Professional license

• What do you have to do to renew your license?

– Obtain 150 PDPs (Professional Development Points)

– Submit application - Not documents

How to Change an Out-of-State “Teaching” License to a MA “Teaching” License

(See Section http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/603cmr7.html?section=05 )

1. Provide DESE Evidence of the following:

• Completion of a state-approved teacher licensure program in a state with which Massachusetts has reciprocity

OR

• Possession of the equivalent of at least an Initial MA license issued by a state with which MA has reciprocity, and three years of employment under that license during the previous seven years

2. Passing score on the MTEL C&L exam

3. Passing score on the appropriate Subject-Matter MTEL exam(s)

Obtaining a “Teaching” License at a New Level

• MA License: (See Section 7.14)

http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/603cmr7.html?section=14

- Pass MTEL

• Out-of-State License: (See Section 7.05 )

http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/603cmr7.html?section=05

- Apply via Interstate Agreement (often called Reciprocity )(which includes taking MTELs)

Step one on the road to applying for your MA license (s):

Create Profile in DESE Database

• Steps:

1. Key in www.doe.mass.edu/educators/e_license.html

2. Click “Online Tools/ELAR”

3. Click “Create ELAR Profile”

4. Key in your data and submit - Watch accuracy and remember auto generated username with a password you create!

Consider a “permanent address” where documents can be sent, rather than your current campus address.

• Forward the DESE Email you receive to our office at licensure@gse.harvard.edu stating “Profile Submitted to DESE.” (Do this immediately after you submit your Profile.)

Required Licensure Paperwork and Processes

– Copy of Initial level (or equivalent) Teacher License

– Detailed Letter from Prior Employer attesting to at least one year of teaching under your license.

– 1 Copy of Official Undergraduate and Prior Graduate Transcripts Miscellaneous Documentation (i.e., Name Change Documentation)

– Create DESE Profile Online and apply for license(s)

– Payment for licenses

• Note: Expect Reading Specialist License before July

The Interstate Agreement--Reciprocity

• What Does It Really Mean?– You are NOT Automatically licensed as a Teacher in

another state.– A note on the Verification Form you may need to

submit