District/School Administration Administration
The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education

Guidelines for the Mathematical Preparation of Elementary Teachers

In April 2007 the Board of Education voted to approve amendments to the Educator Licensure Regulations to strengthen the mathematical preparation and knowledge of elementary and special education teachers. The standards in the new regulations will be reflected in the Massachusetts Tests of Educator Licensure (MTEL) by means of a revised general curriculum test with a separately scored mathematics subtest as of January 2009.

The regulations direct the Commissioner, in consultation with the Chancellor of Higher Education, to issue guidelines for the scope and depth of knowledge expected in elementary mathematics. At our August 2007 meeting, we distributed the completed Guidelines for the Mathematical Preparation of Elementary Teachers. Board member Tom Fortmann played a major role in preparing this landmark document. The guidelines are already motivating and assisting Massachusetts teacher preparation programs to revise how they prepare candidates for licenses at the elementary level, including K-8 special education teachers. The guidelines are posted on the Department's Web site. A copy is enclosed with this memo.

I recommend that the Board formally approve the Guidelines for the Mathematical Preparation of Elementary Teachers at this month's meeting. The Board's action to strengthen teachers' knowledge and skills in mathematics, through the licensure regulations and these more detailed guidelines, is a significant step to improve students' proficiency in mathematics. Your approval of the guidelines affirms the importance of this action.

   Enclosure: Guidelines for the Mathematical Preparation of Elementary Teachers