Healey-Driscoll administration proposes new teacher licensure tests

The Healey-Driscoll Administration has put forward a proposal to establish alternative assessments for educator licensure in Massachusetts. This initiative aims to diversify and strengthen the state's educator workforce by providing aspiring teachers with various assessment options beyond the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL).

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted unanimously to seek public comment on making these alternative assessments permanent. Since 2020, a pilot program has approved 26 alternative assessments, allowing prospective teachers to demonstrate their competencies in different ways while maintaining high standards.

Governor Maura Healey said, "Massachusetts is home to the best teachers in the nation. Being able to offer additional licensure assessments will bring even more talented educators into the profession, particularly in some of our highest need schools and districts."

Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll added, "Massachusetts has high standards for teachers, and we know that not everyone demonstrates their knowledge in the same way. I’m excited that this proposal would offer aspiring educators new pathways into teaching."

The National Center for Analysis of Longitudinal Data in Education Research (CALDER) evaluated the pilot program and found that candidates who took alternative assessments were more diverse and performed similarly to those who passed traditional MTELs.

Education Secretary Patrick A. Tutwiler expressed gratitude towards Acting Commissioner Johnston and his team, stating, "These efforts are a testament to the continued importance of making data-informed decisions and investing in research."

Acting Commissioner Russell D. Johnston emphasized that "additional licensure assessment options reflect that high bar while opening the door to many new and talented educators."

Public comments on this proposal are now being accepted, with final regulations expected to be presented for adoption by June 2025.

State Senator Jason Lewis commented on the initiative's potential impact on diversity within the educator workforce: "To further increase the diversity of the educator workforce and improve student outcomes, we also look forward to DESE beginning work on the alternative certification process."

State Representative Manny Cruz highlighted how creating multiple pathways could reduce barriers: "By permanently creating multiple pathways to licensure we will be reducing barriers to both recruitment and retention."

Information from this article can be found here.