Welcome! This survey is designed to gather feedback on the proposed changes to the Bilingual Education Guidelines. The survey will be open until May 16, 2023.
Your feedback is important to us. Please know we read through each comment received and consider it for additional changes to the Guidelines. Thank you!
The requirements for the Bilingual Education Endorsement (603 CMR 7.14 (C)) include:
- A passing score on a foreign language test acceptable to the Department in the relevant foreign language.
- Demonstration of the subject matter knowledge and skill requirements set forth in 603 CMR 7.14(3)(b), through one of the following:
- Successful completion of a Department-approved course of study for providing bilingual education. The Department shall issue guidelines for approval of this course of study.
- A passing score on a test acceptable to the Department.
- Completion of 75 hours of field-based experience in a Pre-K through grade 12 dual language education or two-way immersion program, transitional bilingual education program, or other bilingual education setting.
As outlined above, the field-based experience is required for the endorsement, but not the program. Based on feedback from external stakeholders, we are proposing revisions to these Guidelines that would remove the 75-hour field-based experience requirement. By removing this requirement, candidates can get support from their employing district and will not be required to complete the hours as part of an approved program.
Please submit your public comment by May 16, 2023. Upon review of the submitted public comment, we will release an updated version of the Guidelines in Summer 2023 on our website, see link: Guidelines and Advisories - Educator Preparation (mass.edu).