Educator Services
Preparing Educators

Alternative/Practice-Based Licensure Programs for Teachers and Administrators
(Updated December 2008)

The Regulations for Educator Licensure and Program Approval (603 CMR 7.00) require that all candidates seeking a first Initial license as a teacher in Massachusetts complete a state-approved educator preparation program. Massachusetts also reviews and offers state approval for educator preparation programs that lead to the Professional license as teacher and the Initial license as administrator. Under the regulations, the Commissioner of Education has the statutory authority to approve an expanded variety of alternative/practice-based educator preparation programs, whether or not they are degree programs, and whether or not they are offered by higher education.

Types of Sponsoring Organizations and Programs
Alternative/practice-based educator preparation programs are state-approved, accelerated, stand-alone licensure (i.e., non-degree) programs that lead to a Massachusetts Initial or Professional license. Alternative/practice-based licensure programs are offered by a variety of sponsoring organizations, including higher education institutions. Forty-five of the Commonwealth's school districts, charter schools, educational collaboratives, private training providers, and professional associations are at various phases of design and implementation of alternative/practice-based licensure programs. All have partnered with educator preparation providers that have extensive experience in the delivery of alternative/practice-based programs. Most operate in close partnership with higher education, for program-to-degree articulation purposes. The variety of approved alternative/practice-based teacher and administrator preparation programs that are now preparing candidates in Massachusetts includes:

• Licenses for teachers (Initial and Professional) in areas of high need, such as mathematics, science, reading specialist, and elementary and special education;
• Licenses for secondary teachers across a variety of fields;
• Licenses for principals/assistant principals, and other administrator roles.

Alternative/Practice-Based Routes to the Initial License - Teachers
The regulations (603 CMR 7.05) allow five routes to the Initial teaching license, two of which are alternative/practice-based:

• Route 3 is for teacher candidates who hold a Preliminary license, are participating in a state-approved program, and are serving in a school as a teacher of record or as an apprentice in a classroom.
• Route 4, the Performance Review Program for Initial Licensure (PRPIL), is for teacher candidates who hold a Preliminary license, are working in a school as a teacher of record, and are in a district that does not have an approved program. See http://www.doe.mass.edu/edprep/prpil.html for more information.

Alternative/practice-based programs are designed with extensive, field-based experiences. Route 3 programs include a cohesive program of intensive seminars or courses that focus on the Professional Standards for Teachers (603 CMR 7.08) and subject matter knowledge and/or related pedagogy, and a candidate performance assessment (practicum equivalent). Note: Initial teaching licenses earned in Massachusetts alternative/practice-based programs may not be granted reciprocity in states with which Massachusetts has signed the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement.

Alternative/Practice-Based Professional Licensure Programs - Teachers
Sponsoring organizations are now offering accelerated, alternative/practice-based programs leading to the Professional license for teachers. These programs focus on advanced content and include an advanced mentored experience. They are generally undertaken in close partnership with higher education. Requirements for the district-based professional licensure programs appear in the regulations ( 603 CMR 7.03 (2) (b) 1. a.)

Alternative/Practice-Based Routes to Administrator Licensure
The most frequent route to licensure as an administrator in Massachusetts is through completion of a state-approved educator preparation program. The regulations (603 CMR 7.09) allow for state approval of alternative/practice-based programs that prepare prospective administrators for a variety of Massachusetts licenses. A number of educator preparation providers are engaged in the delivery of alternative/practice-based administrator preparation programs. The administrative apprenticeship/internship, which does not include a state-approved program, is managed locally in a school district, is an alternative choice.

Program Approval Process
In order to receive state approval, alternative/practice-based educator preparation programs must complete a two-step process of informal and formal review. Successful completion of the informal review process allows a sponsoring organization to deliver a new program with state approval for one year. The formal review is then conducted during the program's second year of operation. Successful completion of the formal review confers the status of state-approved educator preparation program, allowing the sponsoring organization to deliver the program for an additional five years.

Technical Assistance for Program Developers
The Department accepts new applications for programs in high need licensure areas only. Technical assistance is available to support the design, development, state approval, and delivery of prospective alternative/practice-based educator preparation programs. Program developers seeking technical assistance should contact the Office of Educator Preparation and Quality at (781) 338-3235/3262 for further direction and assistance.

Current Listing of Alternative/Practice-Based Educator Preparation Programs    
The following listing presents alternative/practice-based educator preparation programs that have completed the state approval process. All programs listed may endorse candidates for licensure. Only programs that are currently in operation and/or seeking new candidates are included on this list.