DESE DESE Teacher Licensure & Certification Requirements 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Massachusetts regulations require that a teacher candidate pass subject-matter MTELs before:
- Being recommended for licensure by their preparation program (Correct answer)
- Beginning their student teaching placement
- Applying to a preparation program
- Completing their first semester of coursework
Correct answer: Being recommended for licensure by their preparation program
Passing the relevant MTEL subject-matter tests is required before a preparation program can recommend a candidate to DESE for licensure.
Question 2: Under DESE regulations, which of the following constitutes an Educator Preparation Program (EPP) clinical experience requirement?
- A supervised student teaching practicum of at least 150 clock hours in a Massachusetts public school (Correct answer)
- Completion of 40 hours of tutoring in a private setting
- Online classroom simulations approved by the program director
- Shadowing a licensed educator for one school semester
Correct answer: A supervised student teaching practicum of at least 150 clock hours in a Massachusetts public school
Massachusetts EPPs must provide student teachers with a supervised clinical practicum of at least 150 clock hours in a public school setting to qualify for licensure recommendation.
Question 3: Which license endorsement can Massachusetts educators add to document specialized competency in a second subject area?
- Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) endorsement (Correct answer)
- Graduate Certificate of Advanced Study
- National Board Certification add-on
- District-Issued Subject Supplement
Correct answer: Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) endorsement
The SEI endorsement is a DESE-recognized credential added to existing licenses for educators who teach English learners, demonstrating content and language support competency.
Question 4: What is the minimum academic degree requirement for obtaining a Massachusetts Initial educator license at the secondary level?
- Bachelor's degree (Correct answer)
- Associate's degree
- Master's degree
- Doctoral degree
Correct answer: Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution is the minimum degree required for an Initial educator license at any level, including secondary, in Massachusetts.
Question 5: An educator who holds a Massachusetts Professional License and wants to add a new subject-area license must:
- Pass the MTEL for the new subject and meet any additional preparation requirements set by DESE (Correct answer)
- Simply pay a fee to DESE to add the new endorsement
- Complete only a district-approved training module
- Hold the Professional License for a minimum of ten years first
Correct answer: Pass the MTEL for the new subject and meet any additional preparation requirements set by DESE
Adding a new license area requires passing the relevant MTEL and meeting DESE's subject-specific preparation standards, regardless of existing license status.
Question 6: Which Massachusetts law governs the certification and conduct standards for licensed educators?
- Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71 and its related DESE regulations (603 CMR 7.00) (Correct answer)
- Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40A on zoning and education
- Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) federal statute only
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) exclusively
Correct answer: Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71 and its related DESE regulations (603 CMR 7.00)
MGL Chapter 71 and 603 CMR 7.00 (Educator Licensure and Preparation Program Approval) govern all aspects of Massachusetts educator certification and conduct.
DESE DESE Teacher Licensure & Certification Requirements 3
Massachusetts regulations require that a teacher candidate pass subject-matter MTELs before: