EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION MAJOR

The Early Childhood Education major is made up of three distinct credentialing tracks. Students may choose to pursue one or more of these tracks to allow for dual credentialing depending upon their interests, completion timelines and credentialing goals. The credentialing tracks are:

• Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (DEEC) Credentialing: Infant, Toddler, Pre-School Lead Teacher and Direction I Certification

• Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Credentialing: Public School Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Grades One and Two. This credentialing track requires completion of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL).

• Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) Early Intervention – Developmental Specialist: Infants and Toddlers with identified developmental delays or who are at-risk for developmental delays.

Curry College’s major and tracks in Early Childhood Education are approved by their respective regulatory agency and fully adhere to the regulations and requirements specific to each credentialing track.

Overview of the MTEL Requirements for DESE credentialing track:

• Students pursuing the DESE Early Childhood credentialing track must pass both subtests (Reading and Writing) of the Communication Literacy Skills Test (CLST) as a requirement for being accepted to the Early Childhood major by December 1st of their sophomore year in order to be formally admitted to the DESE Early Childhood credentialing track.

• Students must also pass two additional MTEL exams: Foundations of Reading Test (FOR) and the content specific test (Early Childhood: Early Childhood Subject Matter Test (72) by December 1st of their senior year.

• Students must pass ALL required MTEL exams by December 1st of the senior year in order to fully enroll in practicum/student teaching and graduate from the DESE credentialing track. A 9th semester practicum completion plan may be elected.

• Once a student has successfully completed all college, DESE program/track, and MTEL testing requirements the student will be endorsed to DESE by the College and may apply to DESE for an Initial License.

INSTITUTIONAL PASS RATES: Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure

Title II, Section 207 of the Higher Education Act requires all institutions with teacher preparation programs that enroll students who receive federal financial assistance to prepare annual reports on teacher preparation and licensing. Curry College had a 100% pass rate for all program completers during the 2021-2022 reporting year. Information about Curry pass rates is available upon request by contacting the Licensure Officer/Title II Coordinator, (617) 333-2196.

The Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure are administered Monday-Saturday at designated test centers in Massachusetts and in many states each academic year. Additional information regarding all state testing is available through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Educator Licensure 135 Santilli Highway Everett, MA 02149; Telephone: (781) 338-3000; www.mtel.nesinc.com. For additional information about Curry College’s testing requirements, please contact Curry College Licensure Officer at 617-333-2196.