Bill > H681

This bill makes several changes to teacher preparation and certification in Massachusetts: 1. It replaces the term "student" with "candidate" in the teacher certification law. 2. It requires the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to regularly evaluate teacher preparation programs to ensure they are effectively preparing new teachers, including assessing their implementation of best practices in reading instruction and how well they are addressing achievement gaps. DESE must publish data on these program evaluations annually. 3. It establishes a fee for programs applying for DESE approval, which will support the department's review responsibilities. 4. It mandates that all new teacher and administrator certifications require training in culturally responsive, anti-racist pedagogy and practices. 5. It requires DESE to publish data annually on the reading screening instruments used by each school district. 6. It directs DESE to develop guidelines requiring K-3 reading screening using evidence-based assessments, and to publish data on district use of these screeners. 7. It requires that elementary literacy curricula be evidence-based. 8. It establishes a one-year teacher apprenticeship pilot program in high-needs districts, with DESE evaluating its impact. 9. It directs DESE to study and report on initiatives to incentivize effective, diverse educators to work in high-needs schools and districts.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H681