603 CMR 47.00

Licensure of Adult Basic Education Teachers and Preparation Program Approval

Section:

• 47.01: Purpose and Authority
• 47.02: Definitions
• 47.03: Adult Basic Education Teacher Preparation Program Approval
• 47.04: Adult Basic Education Panel Review for Licensure
• 47.05: Types of Licenses, Requirements for Licensure, and Requirements for Field-Based Experience
• 47.06: Routes to Professional Licensure of Adult Basic Education Teachers
• 47.07: Subject Matter Knowledge Requirements for Adult Basic Education Teachers
• 47.08: Professional Standards for Adult Basic Education Teachers
• 47.09: Standards for Orientation of Adult Basic Education Teachers
• 47.10: Licensure Renewal and Professional Development for Adult Basic Education Teachers
• 47.11: General Provisions
• View All Sections

Adopted by the Board of Education April 24, 2001, effective October 1, 2001
Most Recently Amended by the Board of Education June 22, 2004

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47.05: Types of Licenses, Requirements for Licensure, and Requirements for Field-Based Experience

(1) Types of Licenses

1. (a) Provisional, valid for five calendar years, and is generally not renewable; however, this license may be renewed after the initial five year period at the discretion of the Commissioner for an additional five calendar years, but only if the candidate has worked under the license for less than three calendar years, or the equivalent.

2. (b) Professional, valid for five years, and renewable for additional five-year terms as set forth in 603 CMR 47.10.

(2) Requirements for Licensure
Applicants may choose to apply initially for a Provisional Adult Basic Education Teacher's License or directly for a Professional Adult Basic Education Teacher's License.

1. (a) Provisional:

   1. Possession of a bachelor's or a master's degree, in any discipline, from an accredited college or university;
   2. Passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills Test; and
   3. Evidence of sound moral character.
   
   

2. (b) Professional:

   1. Possession of a bachelor's or a master's degree, in any discipline, from an accredited college or university;
   2. Passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills Test, if required by the route to licensure, as set forth in 603 CMR 47.06;
   3. Passing score on the ABE subject matter test, as required by the route to licensure as set forth in 603 CMR 47.06, based on the ABE subject matter knowledge requirements set forth in 603 CMR 47.07;
   4. Successful completion of a supervised 75-hour pre-practicum, and/or the field survey portion of the pre-practicum, and a 150-hour practicum, as required by the route to licensure;
   5. One of the following:
      1. Completion of an approved ABE teacher preparation program, as approved by the Department; or
      2. Recommendation for licensure by the ABE Review Panel, using guidelines provided by the Department;
   6. Proficiency in the Professional Standards for ABE Teachers as set forth in 603 CMR 47.08, determined through a performance assessment that includes a demonstration of teaching; and
   7. Evidence of sound moral character.
   
   

(3) Requirements for Field-Based Experience
Field-based experiences (pre-practicum and practicum, whether pre-service, in-service, or practicum equivalent) are an integral component of any approved program for the professional preparation of teachers. They must be integrated into the courses or seminars that address the Professional Standards for Adult Basic Education Teachers. A practicum must be supervised jointly by the Educator Preparation Program Supervisor in the preparatory program in which the candidate is enrolled and the ABE Field Supervisor in the ABE program in which the field-based experience is being conducted. Or, for candidates who are not affiliated with a preparatory program, the candidate must be supervised jointly by an ABE Field Supervisor, as approved by the Department, and the Director of the ABE program. The ABE Field Supervisor, together with the Educator Preparation Program Supervisor or the ABE Program Director, will evaluate the candidate on the basis of the applicable professional standards (603 CMR 47.06 and 603 CMR 47.08) based on the Department's guidelines. Disagreement between the ABE Field Supervisor and the Educator Preparation Program Supervisor or ABE Program Director will be resolved by the decision of a third person chosen jointly by them. The Supervisors must provide evidence of qualifications (603 CMR 47.11(3)) consistent with guidelines provided by the Department.

1. (a) Types of Field-Based Preparation:

   1. Pre-Practicum. A 75-hour field-based experience for prospective or novice ABE teachers. The pre-practicum shall include fulfilling field survey requirements, consistent with guidelines provided by the Department.
      Field survey. In order to become familiar with the diversity of ABE populations and contexts in which ABE is conducted, novice ABE teachers, or preK-12 teachers entering the field of ABE, shall conduct a minimum of 15 hours of observation in a variety of ABE settings, observe several levels of ABE classes, and include reflection on practice. Such observations include:
      1. Adult basic education settings. A minimum of three hours of observation in three or more of the following ABE settings, no observation shall be less than one hour:
         1. Community-based organizations (e.g., homeless, family literacy, workplace education, volunteer services, citizenship);
         2. Community colleges (e.g., an ABE or ESOL program within a community college);
         3. Local Education Agency Programs (e.g., school district-based ABE program); or
         4. A correctional facility (e.g., county house of correction, state correctional institution).
      2. Adult basic education classes. Observations of basic literacy, ESOL, pre-GED, and GED classes must be conducted in any of the above settings. An observation of at least one mathematics class shall be conducted in either a basic literacy, pre-GED, or GED classroom.
   2. Practicum. A 150-hour field-based experience in ABE. The practicum may be conducted either pre-service or in-service, or a practicum equivalent may be substituted. The practicum, with the guidance of a supervisor, will consist of candidates' practice in the following areas: understanding the adult learner, diversity and equity, instructional design and teaching approaches, learner assessment and evaluation, facilitating the adult learning environment, and professionalism/continuing education. The practicum may consist of any activity that would normally be undertaken by an ABE teacher in the course of her or his duties (e.g., teaching, classroom preparation, staff meetings); however, no less than 100 hours of the practicum must be direct instruction. The practicum shall include reflection on practice and a demonstration of teaching.
   
   

2. (b) Field-Based Preparation According to Route to Licensure:
   Pre-practicum and practicum requirements are as follows, based on the route to ABE teacher licensure:

   1. Route One:
      75-hour pre-practicum (to include a minimum of 15 hours of field survey), 150-hour practicum, and a demonstration of teaching to occur within the practicum or as part of the ABE Panel Review for Licensure.
   2. Route Two:
      Field survey portion of the pre-practicum, 150-hour practicum, and a demonstration of teaching to occur within the practicum or as part of the ABE Panel Review for Licensure.
   3. Route Three:
      Field survey portion of the pre-practicum, a demonstration of teaching to occur within a practicum or as part of the ABE Panel Review for Licensure.
   4. Route Four:
      No pre-practicum or practicum is required; a demonstration of teaching to occur as part of the ABE Panel Review for Licensure.
   
   

Regulatory Authority:
603 CMR 47.00: M.G.L. c.69, § 1H.

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Disclaimer:
For an official copy of these regulations, please contact the State House Bookstore, at 617-727-2834 or visit Massachusetts State Bookstore.

Last Updated: November 24, 2004