Licensure and Testing Guide

Curry College developed this guide to answer your questions regarding the Massachusetts teacher requirements and how to obtain licensure.

What is required to teach in a school in the state of Massachusetts?

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requires that teachers who work within public (and many private) school settings have an Initial license in the subject area and level in which they are teaching.

What are the levels of teacher licensure in Massachusetts? What are the requirements to achieve each level?

Currently, there are three levels of licensure for teachers in the state of Massachusetts.

• Preliminary: A license issued to a person who has
  - completed a bachelor's degree
  - passed the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL) in specific subject areas
  - has met other eligibility requirements as determined by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
  This license is valid for a period of five years, however few school districts will offer permanent job placements to candidates who hold only a Preliminary license.

• Initial: A license issued to a person who has
  - completed a bachelor's degree
  - passed MTEL tests in specific required subject areas
  - completed a state-approved educator preparation program
  - has met other eligibility requirements as determined by DESE
  This license is valid for a period of five years.

• Professional: A license issued to a person who has met the requirements for an Initial license in that field and has met additional eligibility requirements as determined by the DESE.
  This license is valid for a period of five years and is renewable for additional five year terms. (This license is typically applied for after three years of employment as a teacher with an Initial license.)

Does Curry College's Master of Education Program offer Massachusetts state-approved programs?

Yes, Curry College offers three state-approved Initial licensure programs within the Master of Education program. These programs are offered in the following areas of concentration:

• Teacher: Elementary Education, Grades 1-6
• Teacher: Moderate Disabilities, PreK-8
• Reading Specialist*: All Levels (K-12)

*Note: Students seeking a Reading Specialist license are required to already have an active Initial license in the state of Massachusetts and have been a teacher of record (meaning that you have taught in the state of Massachusetts under that license) for at least one year. Students will be required to submit verification of employment upon admission into the reading specialist program.

What is the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL)?

(Please note the following information is subject to change)
The MTEL are the tests that the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requires teacher candidates to take in order to be awarded a teaching license. The MTEL program includes computer-based tests of communication and literacy skills as well as tests of subject matter knowledge. The tests consist of multiple-choice items and open-response items that typically require responses in essay or problem-solving form. (www.mtel.nesinc.com)

As a part of Curry College's M.Ed. licensure program, students must take and pass required MTEL examinations specific to their chosen program concentration.

• Individuals seeking an Initial License in Elementary Education are required to pass the following MTEL tests:
  - Communication & Literacy Test
  - Foundations of Reading Test
  - General Curriculum Test* (Both Multi-Subject and Mathematics Portions)
• Individuals seeking an Initial License as a teacher of Moderate Disabilities are required to pass the following MTEL tests:
  - Communication and Literacy Test
  - Foundations of Reading Test
  - General Curriculum Test* (Both Multi-Subject and Mathematics Portions)
• Individuals seeking an Initial License as a Reading Specialist are required to pass the following MTEL tests:
  - Communication & Literacy Test
  - Reading Specialist Test

When should I take the MTEL Tests?

Tests are administered frequently at various Pearson testing centers across the state of Massachusetts. Candidates are encouraged to register for tests early as seat availability is limited.

• Communications and Literacy Skills Test (CLST)
  The Communications and Literacy Skills test is a two-part test covering basic reading and writing skills. The test does not cover material that specifically relates to teaching, but measures general reading and writing skills. Students must pass this test before formally enrolling in the Master's program. The test is administered frequently at various sites across the state. The two parts of this test may be taken together, in one four-hour block, or may be divided into two separate blocks.
• Foundations of Reading Test (FOR)
  The Foundations of Reading computer-based test addresses the components of reading and methodologies for teaching reading. Most students will not have the knowledge required to succeed on this test until they have taken reading courses, therefore it is recommended that students wait to take this test until after they have taken MED 6040 - Literacy and Language Arts and a preparation workshop. Students must pass this exam before entering the practicum portion of the M.Ed. program. Curry College offers a review workshop each semester and is available to the general public.
• General Curriculum Tests (GC)
  • Mathematics Subtest
    The General Curriculum Mathematics subtest is a computer based test that addresses the fundamentals of mathematics and mathematics instruction in the areas of Numbers & Operations, Functions and Algebra, Geometry & Measurement and Statistics and Probability and integration of knowledge and understanding. Students must take this test and submit your test results to be admitted into the M.Ed. program. A passing score is not required for admission, however your initial score is used for advising purposes. A passing score is required prior to entering the Practicum portion of the M.Ed. Program. Curry College offers review workshops at various times during the year; these workshops are open to the general public.
    
  •  Multi-Subject Subtest
    The General Curriculum test addresses subject matter and feneral knowledge outlined in the MAssachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and Common Core at the elementary and middle school levels. This includes language arts, math, social studies, science, health and other various topics. A passing score is required prior to entering the Practicum portion of the M.Ed. program.

  How do I register for an MTEL test?

  MTEL tests are administered several times during the year at various Pearson testing locations throughout Massachusetts. Students can view seat availability and register on-line for the MTEL at www.mtel.nesinc.com. Those who wish to take MTEL exams must establish an MTEL account on the website. Payment is due at the time of registration and may be made using a credit card. Deadlines for test dates vary. Register early as seat availibility is limited and also to avoid late charges and penalties.

  Does Curry's M.Ed. program offer preparation and support for the MTEL examinations?

  The Curry College Master of Education program offers a preparation workshop for the Foundations of Reading test and the General Curriculum Mathematics subtest. These workshops are offered at various times during the year. 

  Students seeking preparation and support for any MTEL tests including the Communication and Literac Test (CLST), Foundations of Reading Test (FOR), and General Curriculum Tests (GC) should consult the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website at (www.doe.mass.edu) or the MTEL website (www.mtel.nesinc.com) for practice tests and listings of other support services offered.

  What is an ELAR Account?

  Individuals seeking a Massachusetts teacher license are required to set up an Educator Licensure and Recruitment (ELAR) account through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website. This free account will assist you in updating and maintaining pertinent information required for licensure and enables the DESE to communicate with you online. The account also maintains results for all tests that you have completed and information on licenses that you hold or have applied for. Set up your ELAR account through the DESE website.

  Once I have completed a licensure program at Curry College, how do I obtain my Initial Teaching License?

  Upon completion of all degree requirements from one of Curry's licensure concentration(s), Curry College will endorse students for licensure to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Prior to graduation, students must request that an official transcript from the Registrar's office be sent to the Curry College Licensure Officer upon the student's completion of the final semester's coursework. After review and acceptance of a candidate's endorsement by Curry College, transcript, and application, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will send the teaching license to the candidate via the United States mail.

  What if I have other questions about licensure?

  Licensure requirements can be complicated. Links to state resources are provided below. At Curry, Michelle LeBlanc or Donald Gratz (contact information listed below) are very knowledgeable about licensure procedures and will be happy to assist you.

  Links and Resources

  Curry College Resources:

  Michelle A. LeBlanc, M.Ed.
  M.Ed. Licensure Officer
  617-333-2196
  mleblanc0104@curry.edu

  Donald B. Gratz, Ph.D
  Director, Graduate Programs in Education
  Chairperson, Education Department
  617-333-2130
  dbgratz0703@curry.edu

  John Bresnahan
  Director of Graduate Enrollment
  Office of Graduate Studies
  617-333-2243
  jbresnah0104@curry.edu

  State Resources

  Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
  75 Pleasant St.
  Malden, MA. 02148
  www.doe.mass.edu

  MA DESE Licensure Help Call Center
  Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm
  781-338-6600

  MA DESE Licensure Help website
  www.doe.mass.edu/licensurehelp

  Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure
  www.doe.mass.edu/mtel

  ELAR Account
  https://www4.doemass.org/elar/userregistration/RegistrationPageControl.ser

  MTEL Program and Registration (Including Practice Tests, Score Report Explanations, Test Objectives)
  www.mtel.nesinc.com

  Current MTEL preparation workshops offered by Curry College