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Proposed Amendments to Regulations on Educator Licensure and Preparation Program Approval - 2025 Public Comment

Public comment on the Educator Licensure and Preparation Program Approval regulations may be submitted by completing the form below, 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.

Key information:
  • Link to Proposed Amendments to Current Regulations: https://www.doe.mass.edu/bese/docs/fy2025/2025-02/item2.1-a603crm7-strikethrough.docx
  • Regulatory Authority: M.G.L. c. 69, § 1B; c. 69, §§ 1J and 1K, as amended by St. 2010; c. 12, § 3; c. 71, § 38G, as amended by St. 2022, c. 154, § 10; c. 71, 38G ½; c. 71A, § 10; c. 76, § 19.
  • Summary of Proposed Amendments: In summary, the proposed amendments will permanently authorize alternative assessments for educator licensure, will create a new Media Arts Endorsement to allow teachers to demonstrate a body of knowledge that aligns to the MA Arts Curriculum Framework, will create additional flexibilities in coursework for professional licensure,  will 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, will allow the Bilingual Endorsement as an alternative to the Sheltered English Immersion Endorsement for initial licenses in core academic areas, will specify that Emergency licenses may not be extended beyond June 30, 2027, and will remove outdated language relating to licensure flexibilities that were available during the COVID-19 pandemic and other irrelevant language.
  • Email Address to Submit Public Comment or Questions: EducatorPreparation@mass.gov
1. Contact information *This question is required.
2. Please indicate your role(s)
  • * This question is required.
4. Who are you submitting on behalf of?
5. Please characterize your level of support for each of the following aspects of the proposed regulations changes, as well as your overall level of support.
Space Cell In support of the proposed amendmentsMixed support, with specific suggestions to change aspects of the languageIn opposition to the proposed amendmentsNeutral
Permanently authorizing Alternative Licensure Assessments
Creation of Media Arts Endorsement
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
Remove outdated language relating to licensure flexibilities that were available during the COVID-19 pandemic, transition periods from past licensure changes that are no longer relevant, and a Performance Assessment Program that is no longer relevant
Overall
15. If you would like to provide any supporting documentation, please upload it here.
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