Early Childhood and Elementary Teacher Licensure

Licensure Concentrations in Early Childhood and Elementary Education
Massachusetts License Areas: Early Childhood (Pre-K - Grade 2) and Elementary (Grades 1 - 6)

The licensure concentrations in early childhood and elementary education meet the most recent regulations for licensure in the state of Massachusetts: A liberal arts degree combined with a concentration in either early childhood (PreK-grade 2) or elementary (grades 1-6) education. The elementary and early childhood programs have been approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Upon graduation, students have completed all of the requirements necessary to receive an initial license in the state of Massachusetts and are eligible to pursue licensure in many
other states.

Confirmation of a license area in either elementary or early childhood takes place in the second year of the program. At this point, individuals pursuing a license in early childhood education enroll in ED 207 Strategies of Teaching in the Early Childhood Classroom. From then on, the program of study for the specific license is followed. In accordance with state regulations, the elementary education program of study incorporates specific courses in the arts and sciences with education classes such as ED 229 Literacy Methods and ED 400 Practicum and Seminar in Elementary Education. The early childhood program of study includes electives in the liberal arts, ED 221 Emergent Literacy Instruction, ED 308 Early Childhood Methods, and ED 401 Practicum and Seminar in Early Childhood Education. Upon graduation, students apply for their Massachusetts license for the field in which they completed the practicum.

Students pursuing the early childhood and elementary education license have the opportunity to add an initial license in moderate disabilities (preK-8). After completing three specified courses in special needs - ED 203 Introduction to Children with Special Needs, ED 325 Clinical Approaches to Children with Disabilities, and ED 403 Internship and Seminar in Moderate Disabilities (preK-8) - students who graduate from the education program and earn their elementary education license may apply to the state to add the moderate disabilities license. Students who have earned the early childhood license may also add the license by completing the three courses and passing the General Curriculum Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL). Students pursuing licensure in these fields may also be eligible to apply for certification through the Massachusetts Office of Early Education and Care, enabling them to be certified as an infant/toddler or preschool teacher in a variety of early education and care programs outside of the public schools.

The Fifth Year Master of Education program allows students graduating from Endicott’s licensure programs in early childhood and elementary education to move directly into a master’s degree in either moderate disabilities (Pre-K-8) or reading and literacy (all grades).

Licensure Program Components
Pre-Practicum
In the junior year, early childhood and elementary education students participate in an intensive classroom experience as part of their methods courses. While enrolled in ED 301 Math Methods, ED 302 Science Methods, and ED 306 Social Studies Methods, students complete a semester-long field experience that includes observing overall classroom environment, implementing student designed learning experiences, and reflecting on best practice. To enroll in the pre-practicum students must pass two MTEL tests required for their licensure. In the alternate semester, juniors complete a semester-long field experience working with English language learners as part of their ED 330 Sheltered English
Immersion course.

Practicum
Students in early childhood or elementary education complete a full-semester practicum in their licensure field during the senior year. They are placed in local Massachusetts schools and closely supervised by a supervising practitioner and a program supervisor. Weekly seminars bring all student teachers together with faculty who provide supervision and mentoring throughout the practicum. For those pursuing licensure in early childhood education, ED 401 Practicum and Seminar in Early Childhood consists of a semester-long practicum, including 100 hours in a pre-K or K classroom and 200 hours in a grade 1 or 2 classroom during their practicum. Elementary education students complete ED 400 Practicum and Seminar in Education, including a semester long practicum in a grade 1-6 classroom. To enroll in the practicum students must pass all required MTEL.

Junior Transitions
ED 321 Junior Transitions is completed during the spring semester and is required of all juniors. Students will focus on the transition to the senior year field experiences of student teaching or semester-long internship. Particular attention is given to the Professional Standards for Teachers. Students develop a resume and discuss expectations for the practicum or semester internship. Cooperating teachers, principals, and other individuals visit class over the course of the semester to provide juniors with input on student teaching and other professional issues. At the end of the course, students receive their
student teaching assignments or secure their own internship placements for the fall semester.

Career Support
School of Education seniors take EC 400 Senior Transition aimed at preparing students for job hunting in the field of education. Throughout the semester, seniors update their resumes, write cover letters, learn interview techniques, refine their professional teaching portfolio, participate in mock interviews with principals and superintendents, and attend education job fairs. Alumni return to campus to speak to graduating seniors about the first year of teaching, and guest lecturers present on applying to graduate school and managing a budget. By the end of the semester, seniors are fully immersed in their job search and prepared to enter the profession of teaching.

Massachusetts Tests of Educator Licensure
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education mandates that all students pass the Massachusetts Tests of Educator Licensure (MTEL) as part of the licensing process. Endicott supports this requirement by incorporating the relevant MTEL tests into the licensure programs. Prior to enrollment in junior year pre-practicum methods courses, a passing score on two of the MTEL required in their licensure concentration must be achieved. Prior to enrolling in ED 400 Practicum and Seminar in Education or ED 401 Practicum and Seminar in Early Childhood Education, the Foundations of Reading test and the appropriate subject matter test in either early childhood or elementary education must be completed with a passing score. Fees for taking the MTEL are the responsibility of the student. Students must demonstrate that they are making substantial progress on the MTEL requirements for their licensure area in order to remain in, or transfer into, the licensure programs.

By incorporating the required exams into the program, upon graduation Endicott students have completed all of the necessary license requirements for the state of Massachusetts. License applications are completed and filed by the student at the end of the senior year.

Those wishing to be licensed to teach in other states must still take and pass the MTEL exams as part of the program requirements. However, the department will also work closely with individuals seeking licensure in states other than Massachusetts, helping to define the requirements and procedures for receiving that license. Preparing for, taking, and passing the MTEL exam helps future teachers to pass other exams, such as the PRAXIS and many of our students successfully pursue licenses in multiple states.

Test Preparation Workshops
Endicott offers intensive workshops and tutoring throughout the year to help prepare students to pass the MTEL exams. Test preparation workshops are included in tuition and focus on the specific skills and subjects covered on the licensure exams. Workshops are required of students enrolled in the licensure concentrations and are also available to those who want to meet the requirements to change into the program from another major.

Acceptance into the Licensure Programs
Requirements for admission to the education licensure programs in early childhood and elementary education include the regular admission requirements as outlined in the Catalog, and a combined score of at least 1100 on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math portions of the SAT. Those not accepted into the program upon admission to Endicott may change into the program when they:

1. pass the Communication and Literacy MTEL exam,
2. maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5, and
3. achieve at least a C in all required courses.

Because of the curriculum requirements, individuals interested in transferring into the program from another major or concentration should work closely with a faculty advisor and the dean of education to ensure that they are completing the requirements in a timely manner.

Continuation in the Licensure Programs
To continue in the licensure programs the following criteria must be met: a minimum GPA of 2.5 and at least a C in all required courses.

Students will not be permitted to remain in the licensure programs if they:
1. do not achieve the minimum qualifying score on the MTEL,
2. fall below the required GPA of 2.5, or
3. receive less than a C in all required courses.

Transcripts are evaluated at the end of every semester and individuals work closely with their advisor and the dean to ensure that they meet these criteria. Those who are advised out of the program can complete the educational studies program which does not lead to Massachusetts state licensure.

Program Requirements and Waiver Policy
The licensure concentrations and each of their components meet the regulations set by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for teacher preparation programs. Ordinarily, students who complete the education program must fulfill each of the course and field-based requirements as outlined in the College Catalog or updated in accordance with new DESE regulations. Students who do not follow the recommended course of study for either the early childhood or elementary license, or who transfer into the program, may need to make up courses that they have not yet taken, or apply to the Dean for a waiver. Doing so may extend the time it takes to complete the Education program, and students should plan accordingly in close consultation with their advisor or dean.

On rare occasions, program requirements may be waived based on prior coursework or experience. The practicum may not be waived.

Program Changes
Due to the changing nature of licensing regulations from state to state, students are encouraged to review the regulations from their state at the time of their entry to college. It is important for potential teachers to know the regulations and requirements for certification in the state in which they plan to teach. Licensure criteria may be modified at any time, and program requirements may be altered to reflect those changes.