The Future of SEI Professional Development

1. The Future of SEI Professional Development Presented to Milford Public School Staff and Administrators 3.30.12

2. RETELL Initiative • In response to the Department of Justice letter citing the non-compliance of Massachusetts in preparing its teachers to work with English language learners in their classrooms, the DESE organized the Rethinking Equity in Teaching ELLs (RETELL)initiative. • The goal of RETELL is to revise and improve educator preparation and PD for sheltered English immersion teachers to as to improve ELL outcomes. • See the DESE slide handouts for more information.

3. Summary of Proposal: SEI Endorsement Requirement • There will be an SEI Teacher Endorsement for educator licensure, license renewal and advancement of a license for all core academic teachers. • There will be an SEI Administrator Endorsement for all principals, assistant principals, and supervisors/directors who supervise above teachers. • All teachers and administrators would have to obtain this endorsement by June 30, 2016. • Title III funds will no longer be allowed to be used for this required training (supplementing vs. supplanting)

4. Summary of Proposal: SEI Endorsement Details • The endorsement will be obtained through a DESE-approved course of study or its equivalent. • Focus on literacy, academic language development, SLA, socio-cultural and socio-emotional issues. • All core academic teachers will be required to take the course: early childhood, elementary, teachers of students with moderate and severe disabilities, teachers of English, reading, LA, math, science, civics and government, economics, history and geography. • New SEI knowledge standards will be embedded in every relevant teacher prep program by July 2013.

5. Summary of Proposal: Licensure and renewal changes • Effective July 1, 2014, in order to advance to preliminary, temporary, initial or professional licensure, the SEI endorsement must be completed. • License Renewal Changes: Of the 150 PDPs needed to renew an educator license: • 15 PDPs must be related to ESL/SEI • 15 PDPs must be related to instruction of students with disabilities • 90 PDPs must be related to content or content-based pedagogy • 30 PDPs as electives

6. Credit for Category Training • All category training must be completed as of June 30, 2012 (NOTE: Superintendents were sent a survey to find out whether it makes sense to extend that date until the end of August, 2012). • We do not know whether or not the Department of Justice will allow “grandfathering” of these courses. • There may be an SEI MTEL to determine whether or not teachers have met the skills and knowledge for the SEI endorsement. • Questions not answered to date: who will teach these mandated courses? Who will fund this initiative? What does the syllabi for the course look like?

7. Additional Components of RETELL • SEI coaching • Data systems and evaluation • A review of current educator license requirements for an ESL license – may propose revisions in March

8. Open Comment Period – By April 20, 2012 • Written comments on the proposed amendments may be submitted by mail to: RETELL Proposed Amendments Lisa Keenan / OELAAA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 75 Pleasant Street Malden, MA 02148 • Respond by email: RETELL@doe.mass.edu • The Board is expected to vote on the proposed amendments at its monthly meeting scheduled for May 22, 2012.