Office of Educator Licensure

2025 Public Comment Submission Page-Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE)

Proposed regulation changes — public comment sought

On February 25, 2025, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved to send proposed changes to the regulations for Educator Licensure and Preparation Program Approval, 603 CMR 7.00, out for public comment.

Public comment may be submitted by completing a form found at 2025 Public Comment Submission Page - Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), or by emailing the address below, or by submitting written comment via mail to: Regulations Public Comment, c/o Commissioner's Office, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149. The deadline to submit public comment is April 4, 2025 at 5:00 pm. The Board is expected to vote on the proposed amendments at its regular monthly meeting scheduled for May 20, 2025.

In summary, the proposed amendments will:

• permanently authorize alternative assessments for educator licensure;
• create a new Media Arts Endorsement to allow teachers to demonstrate a body of knowledge that aligns to the MA Arts Curriculum Framework;
• create additional flexibilities in coursework for professional licensure;
• change the name of the Health/Family and Consumer Sciences license to Comprehensive Health in alignment with the MA Comprehensive Health Curriculum Framework, and shift from All Levels to PK–8 and 5–12;
• allow the Bilingual Endorsement as an alternative to the Sheltered English Immersion Endorsement for initial licenses in core academic areas;
• specify that Emergency licenses may not be extended beyond June 30, 2027; and
• remove outdated language relating to licensure flexibilities that were available during the COVID-19 pandemic and other irrelevant language.