ELEMENTARY EDUCATION MAJOR

The Elementary Education major consists of two distinct tracks. Students interested in working in public school settings with children Grades 1 – 6 can pursue a major in Elementary Education teaching or an Education Support Professional (ESP). The Elementary Education major provides a broad liberal arts background rich in content and supports the content-specific regulations from the MA DESE. The tracks are:

• MA Department of Secondary and Elementary Education (DESE): Public school Grades 1 - 6. This credentialing track requires completion of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL).

• Education Support Professional (ESP): Public school Grades 1 - 6. This track prepares candidates to assist the classroom teacher and to support student learning in small group settings.

Overview of the MTEL requirements for DESE credentialing:

• Students must pass both subtests (Reading and Writing) of the Communication Literacy Skills Test (CLST) as a requirement to be accepted to the Elementary (DESE) track.

• There are three additional MTEL exams: Foundations of Reading Test (FOR) and two Elementary content-specific tests. These include Language Arts and History/Social Science (178) and General Curriculum Mathematics, Science, Technology/Engineering (278).

• Students must pass ALL required MTEL exams by December 1st of the senior year to enroll in full practicum/student teaching. A 9th-semester practicum completion plan may be elected.

• Once a student has successfully completed all college, program/major, and MTEL testing requirements the student may apply to DESE for an Initial License and be endorsed by the College for their 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 0214; 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.

Education Support Professional Track

Education Support Professionals play critically important roles in our public schools, providing individual and small-group instruction to students with academic gaps, specific learning disabilities, or supporting language and literacy skills of English Language Learners.  

The Education and Support Professional serves as a classroom teaching assistant and provides targeted academic support to students in Grades 1-6 settings. Education Support Professionals are responsible for delivering foundational and remedial instruction, planning supplemental learning experiences, and assessing individual growth and success.   

This track in the Elementary Education major not a DESE licensure pathway, but enables students to graduate with a major in Elementary Education, complete field experiences in school settings, prepare to take the Para Pro credentialing exam and serve as Teacher Assistant/Education Support Professional upon graduation.  

If desired, students would need to pursue DESE Initial licensure through an approved graduate program to become a licensed public school classroom teacher in grades 1-6.