Bill > H665

This bill amends the professional licensure requirements for teachers in Massachusetts by modifying the process for obtaining a standard educator certificate. Under the new requirements, teachers with a provisional educator certificate can qualify for a standard certificate after five years of service by demonstrating teaching proficiency through performance evaluations, evidence of student learning, and completing a professional development plan approved by their local school district. The bill removes the previous requirement of obtaining a master's degree and instead focuses on performance-based criteria, including assessments of instructional effectiveness, classroom management, and subject matter knowledge. The Board of Education is authorized to revise regulations to establish these new pathways to certification, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will provide guidelines to school districts for implementing this new certification process. Additionally, the Board of Education must prepare a report within 12 months analyzing the impact of removing the master's degree requirement on teacher retention, student outcomes, and professional development, with recommendations for supporting the new certification system.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H665