Licensure Orientation

for

Language & LiteracyReading 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

• Additional Resources to Obtain Massachusetts Licensure Information

• Create Profile in MA DESE Database

• Required Documents and Processing for Licensure

Overview (continued)

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

• Exams Required for Licensure in Other States

• Additional Resources to Obtain Licensure Information in Other States

• Additional Licensure Information Examples

a. California

b. New York

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 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

General Information Regarding the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL)

• Test Dates and related information -- computer based testing option for Communication and Literacy battery(See MTEL Bulletin http://www.mtel.nesinc.com/)

Parts of Exam:- C&LS (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

Supplemental 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: – Consider taking Communication and Literature Test early:

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

– Plan to take the March 2, 2013 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 in a New Field

If You Already Have a MA Teaching License: (See Section 7.14)http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/603cmr7.html?section=14

• Pass MTEL exam(s) in new Subject OR pass Competency Review if there is no exam.

• 7.06/Topics on Subject-Matter Exams http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/603cmr7.html?section=06

• Special Mention on some exceptions to the above:

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

If You Have an Out-of-State Teaching License:

• Apply via Reciprocity

• Follow Process under MA License Above

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 and 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 All Teacher Licenses before the end of July

The Interstate Agreement--Reciprocity

What Does It Really Mean?

You are NOT Automatically licensed as a Teacher in another state.

States Participating in the Interstate (Reciprocity) Agreementhttp://isites.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=licensure&pageid=icb.page430063

A note on the Verification FormVerification Form you may need to submit

Exams Required for Licensure in

Other States

• Test Requirements for All Stateshttp://isites.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=licensure&pageid=icb.page430063

• The Praxis Series (check drop down menu for states using PS) http://www.ets.org/praxis

• CBEST (California): http://www.cbest.nesinc.com/

• NYSTCE (New York): http://www.nystce.nesinc.com/

Additional Resources to Obtain Reciprocity

Information Licensure Reference Book Titled, “Requirements for Certification of Teachers,

Counselors, Librarians, Administrators for Elementary and Secondary Schools” (2008-2009), by Elizabeth A. Kaye. (copy in licensure office)

NASDTEC Knowledgebase Website: http://www.nasdtec.info

Access to DOE Link for All States:http://isites.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=licensure&pageid=icb.page430063

Contact Roger Dempsey or Mary Frazier-Davis at licensure@gse.harvard.edu or call 617.495.3427

Interstate Example: California

• Reciprocity: Preliminary “Reading Specialist” Credential

1. You have to possess the CA “Teacher” credential and THEN apply for the CA Reading Specialist credential

2. Complete L&L Program

3. Submit MA Reading Specialist license

California continued

To obtain the Preliminary CA “Teacher” Credential –

• You can apply for the Preliminary “Teacher” license now(see www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/cl561.pdf)

• Single Subject Teaching Credential Requirements for

Teachers Prepared Outside of California at www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/cl560.pdf will also be helpful.

• CBEST required (and you can take it the test online) For information, registration and Online test dates http://www.cbest.nesinc.com/CA15_testdates_cbt.asp

Interstate example: New York

• Reciprocity: NY “Conditional Initial Literacy” Certificate

1. You can obtain the 2-year “Conditional Initial Literacy” certificate from NYS at levels B-6 or 5-12 upon completing our Program and obtaining a MA license without taking the NYSTCE and workshops.

2. After securing the “Conditional Initial” certificate you will have 2 years to take the 3 NYSTCE exams and 2 workshops for the Initial license.

Process http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/home.html

Fall - Have fingerprints taken.

Early Spring: - Apply for the NY certificate.

July: - Interns mail MA license to NY.

NY State Teacher Certification Exam (NYSTCE)

(Required of anyone wishing to teach in NYS)Required of anyone wishing to teach in NYS) The three exams for an Initial Teaching Certificate:

- LAST: Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (conceptual/analytical skills; critical thinking/communication skills; multicultural awareness)

- ATS-W: Assessment of Teaching Skills - CSTs: Content Specialty Test in your subject

-Register online at http://www.nystce.nesinc.com/Note that there may be MA testing site options for some of the exams http://www.nystce.nesinc.com/NY17_testsites.asp?pagetype=CBT

Test Prep?Download “Preparation Guides” with Q&A online at

http://www.nystce.nesinc.com/NY_viewSG_opener.asp