MTEL Admission Requirements for Licensure Programs
Communication and Literacy Tests Required for all Educators in MA
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education licensure regulations require that all candidates for educator licensure in Massachusetts pass the Communication and Literacy Skills (CLS) portion of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL). In addition, all candidates in most licensure areas must pass the appropriate Subject Matter Test to become licensed educators.
This note provides an update on the availability of the MTEL alternative assessments that the department will be piloting through June 30, 2024. Based on a regulatory amendment, this pilot aims to create and evaluate increased flexibility in assessments for educator licensure. All candidates for licensure need to take the Communications and Literacy MTEL but there are also other alternate assessments that they may take for this same requirement: The assessments that will be accepted through the pilot period as approved alternatives to the CLST MTEL. Please note there are various options for the basic Com and Lit requirement for all Candidates as listed below.
- MTEL Communication and Literacy (01): Visit this page for more information.
- ETS - Praxis Core (Massachusetts Communication and Literacy Praxis Test). The two subtests required for the Massachusetts Communication and Literacy Praxis Test are:
-Massachusetts Communication and Literacy Praxis Test: Reading
-Massachusetts Communication and Literacy Praxis Test: Writing
The Praxis Core Mathematics subtest is not required for the purposes of the alternative. Please use this link for more information and to register for this assessment. The specific Massachusetts link for registration will be: https://www.mtel.nesinc.com/PageView.aspx?f=GEN_Tests.html. - NES - National Evaluation Series - Essential Academic Skills (NES-EAS)
The two subtests required for the NES-EAS are:
-NES-EAS: Reading
-NES-EAS: Writing
Please use this link for more information and to register for this assessment.
- Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA)
The two subtests required for the MoGEA are:
-MoGEA: Reading Comprehension and Interpretation subtest
-MoGEA: Writing subtest
Please use this link for more information and to register for this assessment. Testing availability begins September 13, 2021. The MoGEA is offered via online proctoring only.
- Washington Educator Skills Tests (WEST-B)
The two subtests required for the WEST-B are:
- WEST-B: Reading subtest
- WEST-B: Writing subtest
Please use this link for more information and to register for this assessment. Testing availability begins September 13, 2021. The WEST-B is offered via online proctoring only.
Candidate Eligibility: All candidates required to take the CLST MTEL can take one of the above assessments approved by the Department. The assessment may have been taken, or be taken, any time between when the pilot was approved by BESE on October 20, 2020 through the end of the pilot on June 30, 2024. As candidates register and take these alternative assessments, results will be electronically and securely sent to the Department. Please keep in mind that if a candidate previously passed one of the above tests after October 20, 2020, they will need to contact the applicable vendor above and arrange to have their score electronically and securely sent to the Department. There may be a fee associated with this request.
Admission To Educator Licensure Programs
In addition to meeting other University, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, and individual program admissions criteria, undergraduate students must achieve a passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills Test of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) prior to admission into educator preparation programs.
Post-baccalaureate and graduate students will be required to achieve a passing score on the MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills Test early in their program of study (normally in their first semester and prior to the practicum).
Students who do not pass the Communication and Literacy Skills Test and who are not admitted to educator preparation programs, but who still seek to become licensed, will be encouraged and guided to take advantage of University-wide support services and the MTEL Workshops to prepare them for retaking the Communication and Literacy Skills Test.
Admission To Practicum
In addition to meeting other preparation program requirements, each student in a program for which there is an MTEL Subject Matter Test must pass the appropriate Subject Matter Test as a prerequisite for enrolling in his or her practicum. (If the student's program requires two practicums, the student must pass the Subject Matter Test before his or her second practicum begins.) Students seeking licensure in Early Childhood, Elementary, or Special Education are also required to pass the Foundations of Reading Test.
For Further Information
Further information concerning these policies may be obtained by contacting the edprep-help [at] umass [dot] edu (Educator Preparation Office).