SEI Endorsement and RETELL Advisory No. 13

SEI Endorsement and RETELL Advisory No. 13    Spring 2016 Course Registration

For more information, go to www.massteacher.org/ell

December 21, 2015 Dear Local Association President: Please forward this e-mail to your members so they will have the most recent RETELL information. Sincerely, Barbara Madeloni, President Janet M. Anderson, Vice President

Spring 2016 SEI Endorsement Course Registration

URGENT: Based on data from last school year, the DESE recently sent a letter by registered mail to core academic teachers (CATs) who were assigned ELLs during their district's cohort training window, but have NOT yet obtained the SEI Endorsement or enrolled in an SEI Endorsement course. Since updated information for this school year will not be available until after the spring SEI Endorsement course registration deadline of Jan.15, the DESE will NOT have information for those CATs who were assigned ELLs for the first time during this school year. Superintendents have been asked to contact those CATs who were assigned ELLs for the first time this school year. If you are a core academic teacher (CAT) who: Was assigned an ELL during your district's cohort training window or Has been assigned an ELL for the first time during this school year and have  NOT yet earned the SEI endorsement or  NOT yet registered for a Spring SEI Endorsement course or placed your name on a waiting list You MUST earn the SEI Teacher Endorsement prior to Aug. 31, 2016, or you will not be able to renew, advance or extend your core academic license(s) after Aug. 31, 2016, until you obtain the SEI Endorsement.  This may affect your employability. If you DID NOT recently receive a letter from the DESE, yet you meet the criteria outlined above, you are strongly advised to: 1. Verify with your Superintendent that you are eligible to register for a spring course based on the above criteria 2. Register ASAP for a spring course or add your name to a waiting list Adding your name to the waiting list provides an authentic count of how many educators still need to take the course. REGISTER: http://www.cvent.com/d/6rqzt1/4W   Spring registration closes on Jan. 15, 2016. The deadline will NOT be extended. This is the final year that no-cost SEI Endorsement courses will be offered by the DESE. All of the above also applies to a principal/assistant principal or supervisor/director who has supervised, is supervising, will supervise or will evaluate one or more core academic teachers of ELLs during their district's cohort training window.  They are also required to earn either the SEI Administrator Endorsement or Teacher Endorsement prior to Aug. 31, 2016.

Why Should I Not Delay?

There is a greater demand for spring courses than the department is likely to be able to accommodate.  The department is making every effort to add as many spring 2016 courses as possible. Do not delay in registering for a course, or adding your name to a waiting list if there is not an opening in the course.  No restrictions will be placed on core academic licenses of those educators who place themselves on a waiting list for a course in the spring but cannot take or complete the course because seats were not made available or the course was canceled by the department. Prior to Jan. 15, 2016, to avoid a restriction being placed on your license(s) you must: 1. Enroll in an SEI Endorsement course that has open seats, or 2. Place yourself on the waiting list for an SEI Endorsement course that you will attend and complete if seats become available.  If you enroll in a course with open seats but do not attend or successfully complete the course with a score of 70 percent or higher, then you will not be afforded an additional no-cost opportunity and must obtain the endorsement through another pathway.  See below for alternate pathways to earning the SEI Endorsement.   If you do not earn the endorsement by other means before Aug. 31, 2016, you will not be eligible to renew, advance or extend your core academic license(s) until you earn the SEI Endorsement. The lack of an endorsement may affect your employability.

Before You Register

Before you register: Have your personal/professional calendar at hand. Update your ELAR account. Confirm your Massachusetts Educator Professional Identification (MEPID) number.  Click here to find your MEPID Number. Write it down and keep it handy. If you do not have an ELAR account or a MEPID number, you will need one to register.  Instructions are provided on the course registration site.  Click here for RETELL Customer Support. REGISTER: http://www.cvent.com/d/6rqzt1/4W

Who is Not Eligible to Enroll in a No-Cost SEI Endorsement Course?

You are not eligible to enroll in a no-cost SEI Endorsement course if you: Are not a core academic teacher who has, had, or will have one or more English Language Learners (ELLs) in your classroom during your district's cohort training window. Already took the department course and failed it. Previously registered for the course and canceled your registration after the deadline without an approved reason. Registered for a course, but did not either attend or cancel registration for an approved reason.  Have not been granted a hardship exception. Core academic teachers who were never assigned an ELL student during their district's cohort training window are NOT required to earn the endorsement.  After July 1, 2016, any non-endorsed core academic teacher who is assigned an ELL student will have one year from the time of that assignment to earn the endorsement.

Other Routes to the SEI Endorsement

Endorsement is included within an approved educator preparation program. Pass the SEI MTEL at a cost of $185.  Possess a valid ESL/ELL license. Possess a bachelor's degree in a DESE-approved major, or a DESE review of prior graduate level training/coursework. For-cost endorsement course provided by an approved vendor. For-cost SEI Endorsement courses can be found at http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001QNO3fzkX4FdpFEU54-jgVytpOI7lVjsnuYBy65s0DWeUwuCC4ieREHlXDk7N6_Rd7VP4Fw_vxfIkHvlgWhzBzE06SznnmY514ueeW8ZsD0NF1IEd5kjY6__xi9CaYR9hjw40N2qsXlk=. If you believe you may qualify for the endorsement, you may submit materials to the Office of Educator Licensure for a no-cost transcript review.

You Must Still Apply for the SEI Endorsement

All educators who qualify for the SEI Endorsement must apply for the endorsement via ELAR no matter which route they follow. Applying is free and only takes a minute. Complete your SEI Endorsement application online by logging in at  https://gateway.edu.state.ma.us/elar/.

Hardship Exception

If you are unable to participate in or complete the SEI Endorsement course, you may apply for a hardship exception.  You must be able to demonstrate hardship consisting of "serious illness or injury, or other circumstances that are beyond your control." Click here for the hardship application.  Because this is the final year of the no-cost training, however, the DESE will not be able to provide you with a no-cost opportunity to take the course if you are granted a hardship exception.

What Happens after July 1, 2016, for All Educators? New PDP Requirements

PROFESSIONAL LICENSE RENEWAL for ALL EDUCATORS:   If your professional license renewal date is on or after July 1, 2016, the following PDP requirements will be in effect, even if you choose to renew before your renewal date. 150 Total PDPs Minimum 60 PDPs in content Maximum 30 PDPs in pedagogy or content Minimum 15 PDPs in ESL/SEI Minimum 15 PDPs in SPED Maximum 30 Elective PDPs PDPs earned from the DESE SEI Endorsement courses or trainings: 1.  May be counted as "content," SEI or elective PDPs. 2.  May roll over into the next license renewal cycle if you already hold the 150 PDPs outlined above. The SEI MTEL does not count for PDPs.

Massachusetts Teachers Association |(617) 878-8362| ggilardi@massteacher.org 2 Heritage Drive | Quincy, MA 02171

For more information visit www.massteacher.org/ell