What is an Educator Preparation Reviewer?In order to operate as an educator preparation provider in Massachusetts, organizations must seek and receive approval by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Ed Prep Reviewers play an integral role in evaluating these providers. After careful selection and supportive training, reviewers support DESE in making evidence-based decisions. Reviewers are responsible for reviewing, analyzing, and evaluating program effectiveness evidence including:
What is the impact of a reviewer?Reviewers serve an essential role in ensuring that educator preparation in Massachusetts results in effective educators ready to support the success of all students. Each spring, approximately 6,500 candidates complete an educator preparation program in Massachusetts. By the fall, nearly 4,500 of these newly licensed educators will be employed in a Massachusetts public school. Approximately 63,000 students will depend on the knowledge and skills of these new teachers and leaders each year. Through this opportunity, reviewers will directly influence the quality of preparation provided to educators entering Massachusetts' schools.
Who should apply?This application is open to all who are interested, including but not limited to: teachers, coaches, administrators, professional support personnel, paraprofessionals, full-time and part-time educator preparation faculty, district personnel, non-profit leaders, etc.
DESE's Ed Prep Formal Review process was designed to elevate educators' diverse perspectives and make evaluations about program effectiveness in partnership with PK-12 and higher education professionals. As we recruit for the 2021-2022 reviewer cohort we are explicitly seeking to amplify the voices of Black, Asian, LatinX, Native American, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander educators. Preference will be given to those working in districts and organizations with the highest percentages of Black, Asian, LatinX, Native American, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students, such as Boston, Brockton, Chelsea, Everett, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Randolph, Revere, Springfield, and Worcester. We are specifically looking for educators who are closely connected to these communities.
While we do not have eligibility requirements for the role, we seek those who:
What is the time commitment required?Please consider the commitments below carefully when applying. We receive more applications than we have reviewer slots, so it is important that all who apply and are accepted are able to participate fully. Selected reviewers can expect to be engaged in the review at various levels of intensity for approximately 3 months within the 2021-2022 academic year. The total time commitment is estimated to be between 20–40 hours — estimates for each portion of the review process are outlined below. Reviewers will engage in:
Selected reviewers will be assigned to an August 3rd, 2021 or December 6th, 2021 training (depending on reviewer availability and team assignment)
10 hours (new) 1.5 hours (returner)
14–18 hours (within a defined 1+ week window, including 6–8 hours of required synchronous meetings within typical work hours)
See an example virtual onsite visit schedule
Will this work be compensated?Reviewers do not receive monetary compensation but are eligible to receive up to 30 professional development points for their participation. When reflecting on their experiences, past reviewers noted they gained practical skills, deeper insight into educator preparation programs, and expanded their professional networks through the process. They have shared:
"Serving as a reviewer was professionally rewarding, intellectually stimulating, and personally enjoyable."
"The review process is a great way to understand the criteria for preparation programs at a deeper level, learn from the meaningful work happening in other programs in our state, and learn from other educators… It is a thorough, valuable learning process! I took away many ideas and felt inspired to make updates to my own program upon return."
"I love being a classroom teacher, but I am always looking for additional professional opportunities to help me grow as an educator. This was an amazing experience to further me as a professional!"
What does the application process look like?Previous applicants have let us know they spent between 30 minutes to 2 hours to complete the application. Short responses may be submitted in writing or by video recording/voice memo. You will have the option to save your responses and return to them later with a personalized link.
What is the timeline for the application process this year?Application available: Late-February, 2021Application deadline: Sunday, May 2nd, 2021Selection Decisions: Communicated to all applicants by mid-June, 2021
How many reviewers are selected each year?The number of reviewers will vary from year to year based on the number of programs we are reviewing and the content expertise needed. Relatively high selectivity ensures that reviewers are part of an elite team that is committed and highly skilled.
What is the state educator preparation review process?The Commissioner of Elementary & Secondary Education has the statutory authority to approve programs that prepare candidates for educator licensure in Massachusetts. Program approval is the process through which a program or Sponsoring Organization may receive state approval. Such programs may be offered by public and private higher education institutions, districts, collaboratives and non-profit organizations. Regardless of the type of organization, all Massachusetts providers are required to meet the same rigorous expectations for approval and undergo the same processes associated with reviews.
The fundamental purpose of state approval of educator preparation programs is to assure the public that educators who complete preparation programs in Massachusetts are prepared to be effective educators ready to support the success of all students in the Commonwealth. To accomplish this, programs must prepare their candidates in accordance with the standards for licensure and Program Approval that are specified in the Regulations for Educator Licensure and Preparation Program Approval (603 CMR 7.00).
How is the MA state review process connected to the national conversations around Ed Prep?Recent years have seen a greatly increased focus on educator preparation in Massachusetts and across the country, including the recently released U.S. Department of Education's final teacher preparation rules. The Council for Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) identified seven states, including Massachusetts, as early leaders in this work and formed the Network for Transforming Educator Preparation (NTEP) to develop new and more robust processes to support educator preparation and the evaluation of those programs. As part of this network, Massachusetts spearheaded efforts towards improving preparation through revised licensure, assessment, and data systems.
Reviewers' efforts are essential for improving preparation in Massachusetts and will be influential in the national conversation. It is the hope of DESE that our reviewers set a national precedent for the ways in which states hold programs accountable, support them to improve, and engage various stakeholders in this important work.
You can find out more about the review process at the Educator Preparation in Massachusetts webpage.
Who do I contact with additional questions?Please contact the Ed Prep Team at EducatorPreparation@mass.gov with additional questions.
Last Updated: February 24, 2021
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149
Voice: (781) 338-3000 TTY: (800) 439-2370
Disclaimer: A reference in this website to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public and does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.