What is the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure™ (MTEL) Program?
The Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) are part of our statewide education reform initiative. The Massachusetts Education Reform Act of 1993 is a comprehensive plan for strengthening public education. Among the major elements are statewide standards for students, educators, schools, and school districts; measures for determining when standards have been met; and support for meeting those standards. The Education Reform Act emphasizes raising expectations for all educators, both for those new to teaching and for veterans. The law requires candidates for initial educator licensure in Massachusetts to meet several requirements, including passing a test of Communication and Literacy Skills and a test of the subject matter knowledge. Starting February 21, 1998, all candidates for their first teaching licenses were required to take tests of their communication and literacy skills and knowledge of their subject content. In addition, starting September 1, 1998, all candidates fo
