State Expands Opportunities to Take Teacher Licensure Tests

Malden - Beginning in September, candidates for educator licenses will have five opportunities annually to take the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL), up from the current four. Additionally, for the first time, the tests will be given at locations throughout the United States.

Test dates for the remainder of 2001 are September 22 and December 8. For 2002, the test dates will be on February 23, May 11 and July 20. Further, the December and February tests will be offered at seven national locations; Chicago; Detroit; Houston; Los Angeles; Miami; Philadelphia; and Washington, D.C.

Commissioner of Education David P. Driscoll said, "We expanded the program because of strong feedback we received from institutions of higher education and college students. We need to attract and retain as many quality public school educators as possible, and we hope that given more convenience, more future teachers will take and pass the tests. These additional opportunities can make a big impact on the needs that schools are facing."

The Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (formerly the Massachusetts Educator Certification Tests) were first administered in 1998, and have been administered 13 times since then. Educator candidates need to pass the Communication and Literacy Test of reading and writing skills and a subject test in the area that they wish to teach.

For more on the tests, visit the Department of Education website at www.doe.mass.edu/mtel or call the Massachusetts Department of Education at

(781) 338-6600, or the Massachusetts Tests of Educator Licensure at (413) 256-2892.