BOSTON – Many prospective teachers dread what is known as the MTEL. It’s the state’s standardized test for teachers to become certified. It’s hard to pass, expensive and some teaching groups say it’s a barrier for many Black and minority teachers.
What You Need To Know
- In order to be a certified teacher one must pass the MTEL, a certification exam
- Advocates say the Educator Diversity Act would do a few things to remove barriers in the way of educators of color who are trying to get into the public school system
- Changes to either allow teachers to waive one of their multiple tests if they can't pass it with letters of recommendation as a substitute
- There are 7,000 teachers on temporary waivers, teaching while working toward passing their tests
Rosa Valentin, who works in the Springfield public schools, has been a teacher for 30 years. English is not her first language, and she says it caused her to fail the writing portion of the MTEL eight times. She’s taking it for a ninth time next week.
She traveled to the State House Tuesday to advocate for herself and for teachers.
“The Educator’s Diversity Act will help not only the students and the educators. We will be able to bring more educators that look like students in front of them," said Valentin.
Advocates say the Educator Diversity Act would do a few things to remove barriers in the way of educators of color who are trying to get into the public school system.
Currently, the MTEL is written into the law as a requirement for teachers. They have to pass the test. This group wants to adjust that rule.
“What this bill is trying to create is allow us to have flexibility within the Massachusetts general law to either allow teachers to waive one of their multiple tests if they can't pass it,” explained Jacqueline Monterosso, the policy advisor for Latinos for Educators. “To have teacher or principal recommendations as a pathway towards certification.”
There are currently 7,000 teachers on temporary waivers, teaching while working toward passing their tests. Latinos for Education say those teachers’ classes have the same, if not higher, test scores as permanent teachers. They get one year. The Latinos for Education say that if this bill passes, those 7,000 working teachers can keep their jobs.