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: “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: 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: 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 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: 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 and (review important details and news) – (practice tests) – MA DESE – 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) ***Your work with your academic program prepares you for the Reading Specialist MTEL

MTEL Test Prep Resources and 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) Timing your MTEL: – Consider taking Communication and Literature Test early – Plan to take BEFORE 3/12/16 Reading Specialist (08) test

Future Planning: Upgrading the Reading Specialist License from Initial to Professional – Requirements: a)Possession of an Initial Reading Specialist license b)Three years of full-time employment (which includes a 1-year Induction Program) See: 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 5 th 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 ) 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) -Pass MTEL Out-of-State License: (See Section 7.05 ) -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 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 you receive to our office at stating “Profile Submitted to DESE.” (Do this immediately after you submit your

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