Frequently Asked Questions

Unsure where your question fits in the categories below? Select "View All" and the full page is searchable (Using control/command+F)

Stay Connected! If you would like to update your organization's contact information to ensure the appropriate people receive our communications, please complete the contact info form or email us at educatorpreparation@mass.gov with "Update Contact Information" in the subject line.

• Key Resources
• Communications and Collaborations
• Early Literacy in Educator Preparation
• Edwin
• ELAR and Security Portal
• Endorsements and Endorsement Import Spreadsheets
• Field-Based Experiences: Pre-Practicum
• Field-Based Experiences: Practicum Hours and Settings
• Field-Based Experiences: Practicum Supervision
• Field-Based Experiences: Candidate Assessment of Performance
• Field-Based Experiences: Other Performance Assessments
• Field-Based Experiences: Waivers for Field-Based Experiences
• Licensure
• MTEL
• Performance Assessment for Leaders (PAL)
• PK–2 Early Childhood Programs
• PK–12 School/District Partnership Resources
• Professional Standards for Teachers (PSTs) and Professional Standards & Indicators for Administrative Leadership (PSAL)
• Program Admission, Advising, Completion
• Program Approval: Formal Review
• Program Approval: Informal Review
• Program Approval: Early Literacy Reviews
• Program Approval: Other
• Program Changes and Updates
• Record Retention
• SEI Courses
• Stakeholder Surveys
• Subject Matter Knowledge Requirements
• Title II/State Annual Report
• Waivers
• Other DESE Resources
• View All

---

Program Approval: Early Literacy Reviews

• Which programs will undergo a review based on the Early Literacy Program Approval Criteria? How will DESE review our program to ensure we are meeting the Early Literacy Program Approval Criteria? How can I share more information about the early literacy expectations with others at my organization?
  • Please refer to the Early Literacy in Educator Preparation page for the most up-to-date information about the Early Literacy Program Approval Criteria, including opportunities, resources, and information about program reviews.
  • The Formal Review Planning Guides include information about how these reviews will be integrated into the formal review in upcoming years.
• What types of observations are part of the Early Literacy review process?
  • DESE will conduct observations of coursework provided to candidates for all early literacy programs during formal or interim reviews. Typically, three observations will be conducted, though this may vary depending on the number of programs, number of courses with early literacy content, and number of sections for those courses. Whenever possible, we will align these observations with the Initial Inquiry stage of the process.
  • Based on the evidence collected in the Launch and Initial Inquiry stages, DESE may request additional observations of coursework and/or observations of candidates' field-based experiences. The details of these requests will be dependent upon the evidence gathered and we will work with the sponsoring organization to identify appropriate observations to address that evidence.
• When is my organization up for review?
  • The timeline for Early Literacy Reviews can be found on the Accelerated Early Literacy Program Review and Approval webpage.
• How does the 15-month timeline for interim reviews work relative to the year listed on the Early Literacy review timeline?
  • As an example, for organizations listed as having their interim review in 2025-2026:
    • November 2024: Official notification was sent
    • March 2025: Launch session
    • April–June 2025: Surveys are open
    • September–December 2025: Focus groups scheduled
    • By June 30, 2026: Final report and approval determination sent
• What state-collected outcome data will you use related to early literacy criteria?
  • For the Early Literacy Criteria, we will consider MTEL data from the relevant programs. Given our data thresholds, many programs will not have data available, or data may need to be aggregated across multiple years to meet the threshold. A range of factors also impact MTEL results, and the data is a lagging indicator of changes that the organization may have made to address the Early Literacy Criteria, so that evidence will be weighted less heavily compared to evidence that can be more directly tied to the criteria.
• How do the program-specific approval determinations for interim reviews work?
  • The Guidelines for Educator Preparation Program Approval grant DESE the authority to issue program- and organization-level approval determinations. Given the more intensive review of early literacy programs, DESE will have sufficient evidence to make distinct program-level determinations during the formal and interim reviews of those programs. During the formal review, program-level criterion and domain ratings, along with organization-level ratings in the Organization, Continuous Improvement, Partnerships, Candidate, and Field-Based Experiences domains, will inform the SO's overall approval determination. During the early literacy interim reviews, given the narrow scope of the evidence collected, only program-specific criterion, domain, and approval determinations will be made.

Last Updated: January 15, 2025