Candidates Who Complete Before 9-1-2010

In order to help facilitate a smooth transition to new licensure rules and tests, we have created this Handbook for our higher education colleagues. Please let us know how we can assist you as you make the necessary changes on your campus.

• Candidates who complete before 9-1-2010

• Candidates who complete between 9-1-2010 and 9-1-2012

• Candidates admitted into a program on or after 9-1-2010

• Reading endorsements, Dance, Preprimary, Library Media Specialist, Computer, Keyboarding and Related Technology

• Submission Timelines

• Submission Requirements

• BOT Review Processes

Note: Throughout this document you will see references to MTLE, which stands for MINNESOTA TEACHER LICENSURE EXAMINATIONS

and is the name of the new testing program that will launch on September 1, 2010.

RULES IMPACTED

GENERAL TIMELINE FOR RULE IMPLEMENTATION

2009

SummerBOT action to adopt new rules

Academic YearProgram changes made at all institutions

2010

January 1 – May 31Program approval submission window

Board action to approve programs (ongoing) – see page 11

Note: The BOT strongly recommends submitting programs by March 31.

July 24Final test administration for ETS content, pedagogy and

paper/pencil-based basic skills tests

July31All program reviews must be completed

August 6Last opportunity for Board action to approve programs

August 31Final test administration for ETS computerized basic skills tests

September 1MTLE tests operational; ETS tests no longer available

Revised and approved programs launched

STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS, re: READING

The 2009 Legislature enacted the following language in MS 122A.09, Subdivision 4:

The rules under this paragraph also must require candidates for initial licenses to

teach prekindergarten or elementary students to successfully complete, as part of

the examination of licensure-specific teaching skills, test items assessing the

candidates' knowledge, skill, and ability in comprehensive, scientifically based

reading instruction under section 122A.06, subdivision 4, and their knowledge and understanding of the foundations of reading development, the development of

reading comprehension, and reading assessment and instruction, and their ability to integrate that knowledge and understanding.

EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment and applies to teacher candidates beginning February 1, 2012.

Existing language in MS 122A.06, Subdivision 4, was also amended & expanded:

Comprehensive, scientifically based reading instruction. (a) "Comprehensive, scientifically based reading instruction" includes a program or collection of instructional practices that is based on valid, replicable evidence showing that when these programs or practices are used, students can be expected to achieve, at a minimum, satisfactory reading progress. The program or collection of practices must include, at a minimum, effective, balanced instruction in all five areas of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary development, and reading comprehension. Comprehensive, scientifically based reading instruction also includes and integrates instructional strategies for continuously assessing, evaluating, and communicating the student's reading progress and needs in order to design and implement ongoing interventions so that students of all ages and proficiency levels can read and comprehend text and apply higher level thinking skills.
(b) "Fluency" is the ability of students to read text with speed, accuracy, and proper expression.
(c) "Phonemic awareness" is the ability of students to notice, think about, and
manipulate individual sounds in spoken syllables and words.
(d) "Phonics" is the understanding that there are systematic and predictable
relationships between written letters and spoken words. Phonics instruction is a way
of teaching reading that stresses learning how letters correspond to sounds and how to apply this knowledge in reading and spelling.
(e) "Reading comprehension" is an active process that requires intentional thinking during which meaning is constructed through interactions between text and reader. Comprehension skills are taught explicitly by demonstrating, explaining, modeling, and implementing specific cognitive strategies to help beginning readers derive meaning through intentional, problem-solving thinking processes.
(f) "Vocabulary development" is the process of teaching vocabulary both directly
and indirectly, with repetition and multiple exposures to vocabulary items. Learning in rich contexts, incidental learning, and use of computer technology enhance the acquiring of vocabulary.
(g) Nothing in this subdivision limits the authority of a school district to select a
school's reading program or curriculum.

CANDIDATE IMPACT:

Candidates who complete a preparation program

before September 1, 2010

Coursework and field experiences

• Must be prepared under the current licensure structure and standards.

Testing

• Must take the current licensure tests through ETS.
• Passing scores from ETS Basic Skillstests will be recognized until December 31, 2015.
• Passing scores from ETS Content and Pedagogy tests will be recognized until August 31, 2012.
• Beginning September 1, 2010, new MTLElicensure tests will be aligned to the new standards. If a candidatedoes not pass the required tests before September 1, 2010, he will have to take the new MTLE tests, which may contain standards that were not included in their licensure program.
• However, if a candidate takes the MTLEtest containing new reading standards between September 1, 2010, and February 1, 2012, the score for thenewreading portion will not be factored into the passing score. (Note: Test items relating to old reading standards will be factored in.)
• If a candidate has not passed the licensure test prior to February 1, 2012, he will be held to the new reading standards.

K-6 Candidates

• K-6 candidates must continue to meet the specialty area requirements, including coursework and field experiences.
• K-6 candidates must make at least one attempt to pass the corresponding specialty area test.
• If a candidate attempts the test but is not successful, he can apply for alimited license for the 2009-2010 schoolyear to teach in a K-6 setting. Beginning July 1, 2010,he will be able to apply for a stand-alone K-6 license. The candidate may take the specialty area test to earn the endorsement at a later time if he chooses but will be held to the new requirements beginning September 1, 2012, including additional coursework and student teaching.

Candidate Advising

• Licensure rules are changing; licensure tests available after September 1, 2010, will be aligned to new reading and technology standards. If you choose not to take the licensure tests prior to September 1, 2010, or if you do not pass the test before September 1, 2010, the test you take in the future may contain reading and technology standards that were not included in your licensure program.
• However, if you take the MTLEtest between September 1, 2010, and February 1, 2012, the score relating to thenewreading standards will not be factored into the passing score. Test items relating to old reading standards will be factored in.
• Beginning February 1, 2012, all reading test items will be factored into the passing score.
• If you have not applied for licensure prior to September 1, 2012, you will be held to all new licensure standards and testing requirements.
• K-6 Candidates: If you want to have a specialty area license but have not passed the test, you must pass it by August 31, 2012. If you have not passed it by that time, you will be held to new licensure standards and requirements; this means you could be required to complete additional coursework, student teaching, or field experiences.
• It is very important to apply for licensure before August 31, 2012; beginning September 1, 2012, no licensure recommendations will be accepted reflecting coursework from old programs.

CANDIDATE IMPACT:

Candidates in the pipeline who complete a preparation program between September 1, 2010 and August 31, 2012

Coursework and field experiences

• Institutions may continue to offer their current licensure programs through August 31, 2012. Recommendations for licensure under OLD licensure rules will be accepted until August 31, 2012. Beginning September 1, 2012, only recommendations for licensure based on new rules will be processed.
• It is assumed that institutions maysimultaneously offer both old and new licensure programs. However, we will allow candidates to apply for licensure under the old licensure rules until August 31, 2012.

Testing

• Prior to September 1, 2010, candidates will take the ETS basic skills, content, and pedagogy tests.
• A passing score on ETS tests (basic skills, content, pedagogy) will be accepted until December 31, 2015.
• Beginning September 1, 2010, candidates will take the MTLE basic skills, content, and pedagogy tests.
• A passing score on MTLE tests (basic skills, content, pedagogy) will be accepted beginning September 1, 2010.

• Test scores will be disaggregated by test strand to ensure that the teachers are held harmless for the content that is not provided in their preparation programs. Specifically, the following strands will not be factored into the passing score:
• Standards of Effective Practice: technology standards – until August 31, 2012.
• Content areas: reading standards – until August 31, 2012.
• Early Childhood and K-6: NEWreading standards – until February 1, 2012.(Note: Test items relating to old reading standards will be counted.)

See page 4 for new statutory requirements, re: reading.

K-6 Candidates enrolled in an old program:

• Must continue to meet the specialty area requirements under old rules.
• K-6 candidates will not be required to take the specialty area test. While it is strongly encouraged, taking the test for licensure in the specialty areais optional.
• If a candidate attempts the test but is not successful, he/she can apply for a stand-alone K-6 license and may take the test to earn the endorsement at a later time; beginning September 1, 2012, all candidates will be held to the new requirements including additional coursework and student teaching.

K-6 Candidates enrolled in a revised and approved K-6 program

• Are not required to earn a specialty area endorsement, although may be encouraged to do so if the institution has approval to offer endorsement programs.

Candidate Advising

• Test items relating to the new reading standards will be disaggregated until January 31, 2012. (Test items relating to old reading standards will be counted.) Any test taken on or after February 1, 2012, will not have these items disaggregated and you will be held responsible for them.
• It is critical to apply for licensure by August 31, 2012. Beginning on September 1, 2012, you will be held to the new licensure requirements (ie: additional coursework, student teaching, clinical experiences, etc.)
• If youhave not applied for licensure prior to September 1, 2012, you will be held to the new licensure standards and testing requirements.
• Again … if you are in an old licensure program, it is very important to finish and apply for licensure before August 31, 2012; beginning September 1, 2012, no licensure recommendations will be accepted reflecting coursework from old programs.

CANDIDATE IMPACT:

Candidates admitted into a preparation program and

beginning courseworkon or after September 1, 2010

Coursework and field experiences

• Candidates must be prepared under the new licensure structure and standards in programs that have been approved by the Board of Teaching.

Testing

• A candidate can take either ETS or MTLE basic skills tests:
• Prior to September 1, 2010, candidates will take the ETS basic skills tests. A passing score on the ETS basic skills tests will be accepted until December 31, 2015.*
• Beginning September 1, 2010, candidates will take the MTLE basic skills tests. A passing score on the MTLE basic skills tests will be accepted beginning September 1, 2010.
• Candidates must take the new MTLE licensure tests for content knowledge and pedagogy.

* Note: The Board of Teaching will reexamine this expiration date prior to September 1, 2010; institutions will be notified if it is changed.

K-6 Candidates

• Must be prepared under the new licensure structure; a specialty area is NOT required, but is an option at institutions that have approved programs.*

* Notes regarding the specialty areas:

1. Preprimary and K-8 World Language programs do not need further approval from the BOT. Institutions that are currently approved to offer these programs may continue to offer these programs.
2. All 5-8 Middle Level programs must be reviewed and approved by the BOT.
3. Institutions that are currently approved to offer these programs as an endorsement (beyond the specialty area tied to K-6) must submit amended PEPER documents.
4. Institutions that currently only have approval to offer these in conjunction with the K-6 program must submit a RIPA and have BOT approval prior to offering these programs.

Candidate Advising

• While the specialty area will no longer be a requirement for K-6 candidates, it may be beneficial for candidates to earn an endorsement along with the stand-alone K-6 license.

ADDITIONAL TESTING GUIDANCE

Reading Endorsements

Reading Leader

• The new Reading Leader endorsement will be available on September 1, 2010; a corresponding test may be developed at a later date.

Teacher of Reading

• Beginning September 1, 2010, the test for the Teacher of Reading endorsement will reflect the new standards.
• Prior to September 1, 2010, the BOT will determine how to address testing issues relating to candidates in the pipeline who are prepared under current standards.
• A passing score from the ETS test will be accepted until December 31, 2015.

Library Media Specialists

• Beginning September 1, 2010, the test will reflect the new standards.
• Prior to September 1, 2010, the BOT will determine how to address testing issues relating to candidates in the pipeline who are prepared under current standards.
• Until August 31, 2012, the reading portion of the new test will be disaggregated and not counted in the passing score.
• A passing score from the ETS test will be accepted until December 31, 2015.

Computer, Keyboarding and Related Technology

• No test currently exists. However, a test is being developed and will be operational September 1, 2010.
• Prior to September 1, 2010, the BOT will determine how to address testing issues relating to candidates in the pipeline who are prepared under current standards.

Dance

• No test currently exists. However, a test is being developed and will be operational September 1, 2010.
• A passing score will be required for anyone recommended for licensure beginning September 1, 2010.

Preprimary

• No test currently exists. However, a test is being developed and will be operational September 1, 2010.
• A passing score will be required for anyone recommended for licensure beginning September 1, 2010.

PROGRAM REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCESSES:

SUBMISSION TIMELINES

Note: The BOT strongly recommends submitting revised program reports by March 31.

If a program report requires clarification, the amended report must be received by June 30, 2010 to be reviewed by July 31, 2010, and be placed on the Board’s agenda for approval in August, 2010. Programs that have not received August Board approval will be placed on conditional approval with a timeline for discontinuation which will allow one final opportunity for resubmission.

It is strongly recommended that institutions submit their revised reports by

March 31 in order to ensure that clarifications can be provided as needed and that the programs can be approved by August, 2010.

PROGRAM REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCESSES:

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Reading standards for 5-12, 5-8, 9-12 and K-12 licensure fields: PEPER form I-D (new standards only)

Note: If a stand-alone “Reading in the Content Area” course is required in these programs, a syllabus may be submitted and the I-D requirement will be waived. The syllabus must be detailed enough to demonstrate that the topics covered in this course meet the new reading standards and to reflect differentiated instruction / application of knowledge to various licensure disciplines; the BOT reserves the right to require a form I-D if the syllabus alone is insufficient. If a syllabus is for a new course, then a new form I-B must also be submitted.

Reading standards for Early Childhood and K-6: PEPER form I-D (new standards only)

Clinical experience for Early Childhood and K-6: PEPER form III

… demonstrating “the ability to administer selected assessments and analyze and use data to plan instruction through a structured clinical experience linked to university reading coursework.”