MTEL WORKSHOP CATALOG

Winter/Spring 2012

Office of Human ResourcesBoston Public SchoolsJanuary 2012

Office of Human ResourcesBoston Public SchoolsFall 2011

Contents

page

Introduction……………………………..………………………….……..1

How to Apply for Workshops?...................................................................1

What’s New for School Year 2011-2012…………………………………1-3Electronic Score ReportRevisions to ID Requirements for Paper-Based TestingChange in Passing Score Requirement for General Curriculum

Mathematics SubtestChange to Computer-Based Testing FeeTest Preparation Video Now AvailableGetting the Registration Information and Materials You Need

Creating My Account for MTEL………………………………...............3, 4

MTEL Practice Tests……………………………………………………..5

How to Register for MTEL……………………………………………….5

MTEL Schedule for School Year 2011-2012……………………......…..6

Workshops Listed by Provider………………..…………..………………7-10

MTEL Information and Preparation Resources…………………………..11, 12

Office of Human ResourcesBoston Public SchoolsFall 2011

Introduction

The BPS Office of Human Resources is pleased to publish this catalog of MTEL workshops in support of district staff planning to take MTEL in the spring 2012 administrations of the tests. While no workshop can guarantee a passing score, many participants have experienced substantial benefit from preparation offered in these workshops. In addition to BPS workshops, the catalog includes workshops offered by area colleges which in most cases have generously agreed to enroll BPS staff at reduced fees.

How to Apply for Workshops

To apply for workshops, please email the your name, school, employee Id, catalog option number, and title of the desired workshop to bpsmtelprep@gmail.com .

Most workshops require that registration be completed one week prior to the start date. Upon receipt of the online application, the Office of Human Resources will email instructions for completing the registration with the workshop provider as well as providing workshop location. The email application is required to obtain the reduced workshop fees from college providers. Please note: Workshops are subject to cancellation due to insufficient enrollment.)

Please contact Nick Balasalle at bpsmtelprep@gmail.com if you have questions, need additional details, or would like guidance as to which workshops might be the best match for your needs.

What’s new for School Year 2011-2012?

ELECTRONIC SCORE REPORTS

Beginning with the October 28, 2011, score report date, candidate score reports will be released electronically on the score report dates listed in "Test Dates” in the MTEL bulletin. Score reports will be available for 45 days as PDF documents, which you may view, print, and save for your records.

Electronic score reports are provided as PDF documents and are available in two ways:

1. Score reports by e-mail. Candidates who register online can sign up to receive their score reports by e-mail. Score report e-mails will be sent beginning at 5:00 p.m. eastern time on the score report date. (This service will be available to candidates who registered after July 18, 2011, for test dates on or after September 24, 2011.)

2. Score reports online. All candidates can access their score reports online beginning at 10:00 p.m. eastern time on the score report date by selecting "Score Reporting" on the MTEL web site. Online access to score reports will be available for 45 days following the score report date. There is no limit to the number of times candidates may access their score reports during this period. For more information about candidate score reports, see "Release of Your Test Results."

-1-

REVISION TO ID REQUIREMENTS FOR PAPER-BASED TESTING

Office of Human ResourcesBoston Public SchoolsFall 2011

If you do not have proper identification at the time of a paper-based test administration, you will be denied admission to the test and will receive no refund or credit of any kind. Proper identification for paper-based testing consists of one piece of current, government-issued identification printed in English, in the name in which you registered, bearing your photograph and signature. For more information on identification requirements for paper-based testing, see "What to Bring to the Test Site."

CHANGE IN PASSING SCORE REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL CURRICULUM MATHEMATICS SUBTEST

Conditional passing scores will not be in use for the General Curriculum mathematics subtest after the May 12, 2012, test date. As of the July 14, 2012, test date, candidates taking this subtest will be required to achieve a passing score of 240.

CHANGE TO COMPUTER-BASED TESTING FEE

The computer-based testing fee has been reduced to $25.

TEST PREPARATION VIDEO NOW AVAILABLE

This video, available by selecting “Test Preparation Video” on the MTEL web site, provides a general overview of test preparation and test-taking strategies.

GETTING THE REGISTRATION INFORMATION AND MATERIALS YOU NEED

The MTEL web site provides the complete and up-to-date text of the 2011–2012 MTEL Registration Bulletin in an easy-to-access HTML format. Candidates can browse topics from the registration bulletin menu or find answers to their registration and testing questions by using the site’s “Frequently Asked Questions” or Google site search. Candidates can register to test without a registration form by using the Internet and telephone registration services, as described in “Registration Options.”

PDF documents. The following materials are available to access, download, and print as PDF documents through the “Print Bulletin and Forms (PDF)” page on the MTEL web site. To view or print PDF documents, you will need Adobe Acrobat® Reader v5.0 or higher installed on your computer.

← 2011–2012 MTEL Registration Bulletin  ← 2011–2012 MTEL Test Schedule flyer, which provides key registration and testing dates and contact

information individual mail-in forms, such as the Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form and the Withdrawal/Refund Request Form

-2-

Office of Human ResourcesBoston Public SchoolsFall 2011

Paper documents. You may order the following materials by submitting an online order form through the “Print Bulletin and Forms (PDF)” page on the MTEL web site. These materials are sent by U.S. mail; allow 5–7 business days for delivery.

← paper copy of the registration bulletin PDF ← registration form for registration by U.S. mail

Please note that the registration bulletin does not include the registration form, which may be ordered separately.

Creating “My Account” for MTEL

ABOUT MY ACCOUNT

(For links referenced below, please go online to http://www.mtel.nesinc.com/MA15_myaccount.asp)

My Account is a password-protected personal account system that provides access to online services for the MTEL program. By creating an account, you will have access to MTEL registration and score-reporting services, as indicated by the My Account menu, shown below.

Create An Account

You may create an account on the MTEL web site whenever it is convenient for you to do so. Or, when you access online test and registration services, you will be prompted to create an account. When you create an account, you will choose a username and password and you will be asked to enter personal information, such as your address. Once you have created an account, you will not need to re-enter your personal information each time you register for a test.

-3-

Office of Human ResourcesBoston Public SchoolsFall 2011

Access Your Account

You may log in to your account from the MTEL web site at any time. Or, when you access online test and registration services such as "Register Now," "Confirm or Modify Registration," or "My Admission Ticket," you will be prompted to log in to your account. Once logged in, you will have access to test, registration, and score-reporting services.

Manage Your Account

You may log in to your account from the MTEL web site at any time to change your password or update your personal or contact information, including your e-mail address, telephone number, or mailing address. You can manage your account when it is convenient for you to do so, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

-4-

Office of Human ResourcesBoston Public SchoolsFall 2011

MTEL PRACTICE TESTS(For links referenced below go to -- http://www.mtel.nesinc.com/MA_PT_opener.asp)

Links to PDF versions of MTEL practice tests are provided below. These practice tests are designed to help you prepare for and become familiar with the structure and content of the tests in order to contribute to your effective preparation for a successful test-taking experience.

To maximize the benefits of a practice test, it is recommended that you take the practice test in a quiet atmosphere with few interruptions using the answer documents provided and limit yourself to the four-hour time period allotted for the official test administration. You should be aware that this is a practice test and should be used only as one indicator of potential strengths and weaknesses in your knowledge of the content covered by the actual test.

To view or print the PDF file, you will need Adobe Acrobat® Reader v5.0 or higher installed on your computer. After opening the PDF file, click on the "Bookmarks" tab to view any available bookmarks.

← Biology (13) ← Business (19) ← Chemistry (12) ← Communication and Literacy Skills (01)

← Reading Subtest ← Writing Subtest

← Early Childhood (02) ← Earth Science (14) ← English (07) ← Foundations of Reading (90)

← Practice Test ← Multiple-Choice Question Analyses

← French (26) ←←←

← General Curriculum (03) ← Multi-Subject Subtest Practice Test ← Multi-Subject Subtest Multiple-Choice

Question Analyses ← Mathematics Subtest Practice Test ← Mathematics Subtest Multiple-Choice

Question Analyses ← General Science (10) ← Health/Family and Consumer Sciences (21) ← History (06) ← Mathematics (09) ← Physical Education (22) ← Physics (11) ← Spanish (28) ← Technology/Engineering (33) ← Visual Art (17)

Office of Human ResourcesBoston Public SchoolsFall 2011

How to Register for MTEL

To register for the MTEL, please access the following link to the MTEL Registration Bulletin at http://www.mtel.nesinc.com/.

Prospective test-takers are encouraged to consult the Registration Bulletin as they prepare to take the MTEL. In addition to registration details, the Registration Bulletin provides helpful information about the MTEL, including objectives for all tests, practice tests for selected MTELs, and field-specific information booklets.

-5-MTEL Schedule for School Year 2011-2012

Test Dates for Paper-Based Testing

Refer to the following table for information about registration options and deadlines for each paper-based test administration. Not all tests are available on all test dates; refer to "Test Selection" in the MTEL bulletin for test availability.

Test Date Regular Registration

Deadline

Late Registration

Deadline(additional fee

applies)

Emergency applies)

Score ReportDate

           

November 19, 2011 October 7, 2011 October 28, 2011 November 11,

2011December 23, 2011

March 3, 2012 January 20, 2012 February 10, 2012

February Registration

Deadline(additional fee 24,

2012

April 6, 2012**

May 12, 2012 March 30, 2012 April 20, 2012 May 4, 2012 June 15, 2012**

July 14, 2012*** June 1, 2012 June 22, 2012 July 6, 2012 August 17, 2012

Test Dates for Computer-Based Testing

Computer-based tests are available during specific testing windows. Refer to the following table for information about each computer-based testing (CBT) window currently open for registration.

Registration for CBT is available only on the Internet by selecting "Register Now" on the MTEL web site. You should try to register as early as possible before your desired test date. Due to the amount of time required to process a registration, you may

Office of Human ResourcesBoston Public SchoolsFall 2011

not be able to schedule an appointment to test if you register within three calendar days of the day on which you plan to test. You may need to schedule your test appointment during the next available testing window.

Month Testing Window Monday–Saturday, excluding holidays,

unless otherwise noted

Score Report Date*

January 2012 January 19–February 1 February 22, 2012

February 2012 February 16–29 March 21, 2012

April 2012 April 12–25 May 16, 2012

June 2012 June 14–27 July 18, 2012

August 2012 August 17–30 September 20, 2012

-6-To apply for workshops, please email the catalog option number and title of the desired workshop to bpsmtelprep@gmail.com .

Workshops by Provider

MTEL Workshops – BPS Office of Human Resources(Workshop locations to be announced)

Option Workshop Dates Times Fee Hours1. BPSESLSEP English as a

Second Language

Feb 21, 23 9am-3pm $100 12

2. BPSCLSTW Communications and Literacy Skills-Writing Subarea

Jan 26, Feb 2, 9, 16, 23, &

Mar 1

4-6 pm $100 12

3. BPSFOR Foundations of Reading

Jan 30, Feb 6, 13,

27

4:30-7:30pm $100 12

4. BPSGENCURRMATH Gen’l Curriculum-Math Subarea Online Study Program

Online 24/7 diagnostic exam only

$25diagnostic

exam and self-paced review

program $200

Unlimited access

Office of Human ResourcesBoston Public SchoolsFall 2011

5. BPSCLSTR Communications and Literacy Skills-Reading Subarea

Online 24/7 $125 Unlimited access

6. BPSCLSTW Communications and Literacy Skills-Writing

Online 24/7 $125 Unlimited access

7. BPSMSMATH Middle School Math

Online 24/7 $175 Unlimited access

-7-MTEL Workshops – Bridgewater State University

(All workshops held on college campus in Bridgewater)Option Workshop Dates Times Fee Hours

8. BSUCLSTA Communication and Literacy Skills

Feb 5, 12, & 19 9-1 pm $140 12

9. BSUGCMULT General Curriculum-Multi-Subject Subtest

Jan 23, 30 Feb 6, 13 & 27

5-8 pm $150 15

10. BSUGCMATH General Curriculum – Math Subtest only

Feb 2, 7, 9, 14 & 16 5-8 pm $150 15

11. BSUEC Early Childhood Jan 25, Feb 1, 8, 15, & 22

5-8 pm $200 15

12. BSUENG English Feb 13, 15, 27 & 29 5-8 pm $140 12

13. BSUFOR Foundations of Reading

Jan 30, Feb 6, 8, 13, 15, & 22

5-8 pm $260 18

14. BSUMSMATH Middle School Math Feb 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29 4-7 pm $200 15

15. BSUHSMATH High School Math Jan 26, Feb 2, 9, 16 & 23

5-8 pm $200 15

MTEL Workshops – Salem State University(All workshops held on college campus in Salem)

Option Workshop Dates Times Fee Hours16. SSUCLST Communication & Feb 11, 18, 25 8:30 am - noon $100 10. 5

Office of Human ResourcesBoston Public SchoolsFall 2011

Literacy Skills 17. SSUFOR Foundations of Reading Feb 11, 18, 25 8:30 am - noon $100 10. 5

18. SSUGCMATH General Curriculum – Math Subtest

Feb 11, 18, 25 8:30 am - noon $100 10.5

19. SSUGCMULTISUBJ General Curriculum – Multi-Subject Subtest

Feb 11, 18, 25 12:30-4 pm $100 10. 5

20. SSUEC Early Childhood Feb 11, 18, 25 12:30-4 pm $100 10. 5

21. SSUMATH Middle/High School Math Review

Feb 11, 18, 25 12:30-4 pm $100 10.5

-8-

MTEL Workshops – Lesley UniversityNo charge for Lesley students and alumni except General Curriculum Math Subtest

Workshop; open to BPS Staff at discounted fee(All workshops held on college campus in Cambridge)

Option Workshop Dates Times Fee Hours22. LESUCLSTR Communication and

Literacy Skills – Reading Subtest

Jan 28 10 am – 4 pm

$67 6

23. LESUCLSTW Communication and Literacy Skills – Writing

Subtest

Jan 29 9 am – 6 pm

$100 9

24. LESUFOR Foundations of Reading Feb 5 1 – 5 pm $49 4

25. LESUGCMULTI General CurriculumMulti Subject Subtest

Feb 5 9am - 12 noon

$40 3

26. LESUEC Early Childhood Feb 5 10 am – noon

$35 2

27 . LESUGCMath General CurriculumMath Subtest

Jan 22, Feb 4, 11 & 25

8 am – 12:30 pm

$300 (includes

online diagnostic

test)

16

MTEL Workshops – Cambridge College$50 Materials Charge for Cambridge College Students and Alumni;

All Others $200 fee, plus $50 Materials Charge(Workshops held on college campus in Cambridge)

Option Workshop Dates Times Fee Hours28 CCCLST Communications &

Literacy SkillsFeb 4, 11. 18, 25 9 am-2 pm Free for CC

students; others 16

Office of Human ResourcesBoston Public SchoolsFall 2011

$20029. CCFOR Foundations of Reading Feb 4, 11. 18, 25 9 am-2 pm Free for CC

students; others $200

16

30. CCGCMATH General Curriculum – Math Subtest

Feb 4, 11. 18, 25 9 am-2 pm Free for CC students; others $200

16

31. CCESL English as a 2nd Language Feb 4, 11. 18, 25 9 am-2 pm Free for CC students; others $200

16

32 CCEC Early Childhood Feb 4, 11. 18, 25 9 am-2 pm Free for CC students; others $200

16

-9-

MTEL Workshops – Curry College(Workshops held on college campus in Milton)

Option Workshop Dates Times Fee Hours33. CUCGCMATHREVPrep for May 12 and July 14 MTELs

General Curriculum – Mathematics Subtest Review of basic math

behind General Curriculum Math Subtest

Mar 21, 28, Apr 4, 11, 25, May 2, 9

6-8:30 pm $195 15

34. CUCFORREVIEW Foundations of Reading Feb 11 9 am-3 pm $95 6

MTEL Workshops – Simmons College(Workshops held on college campus in Boston)

Option Workshop Dates Times Fee Hours35. SIMFOR Foundations of

ReadingFeb 18 9 am-3 pm $100 6

36. SIMGCMATH* General Curriculum – Math

Subtest

TBA

(check back)

9 am-3 pm 1 session-$100*2 sessions-$1503 sessions-$200

61218

37. SIMGCMULTI General Curriculum Multi –

Subject Subtest

TBA

(check back

9 am-3 pm $100 6

*1st session – Number sense & Operations; 2nd session-Functions & Algebra; 3rd session-Geometry, Statistics, and Probability

MTEL Workshops - UMASS/Boston(Workshops held on university campus in Boston)

Option Workshop Dates Times Fee Hours

Office of Human ResourcesBoston Public SchoolsFall 2011

38. UMASSGCMATHFor March 3 MTEL

General Curriculum -

Math

Feb 11, 18, 25 9 –11:30am $65plus $25 materials charge

8.5

39. UMASSGCMATHFor May 12 and July 14 MTEL

General Curriculum Math

Mar 3, 10, 17 9 –11:30am $65plus $25 materials charge

8.5

40. UMASSFOR Foundations of Reading

Feb 4 9 am – 3 pm $65plus $15 materials charge

6

41. UMASSCLST Communications and Literarcy

Skills Test

Feb 4 9 am- 12 Reading

1-5 pm Writing

$65plus $20 materials charge

7

-10-

MTEL Information and Preparation Resources

Online Study Website

The following website provides opportunities for independent, online study for most of the MTELs and for detailed explanations of the content of each MTEL.

http://www.mteltestquestions.com/

Resources on the Massachusetts Department of Education Website

The website of the Massachusetts Department of Education contains abundant information about MTELs at http://www.mtel.nesinc.com/ . This page gives access to complete details about the administration of the tests, including test dates, registration procedure, and score reporting.

Under Test Preparation, there are links to “Tests Objectives” and “Test Information Booklets” for all the MTELs. These links give detailed information about the content to be tested and suggestions for test preparation. Test takers are urged to carefully review both booklets to guide their preparation for the MTEL.

The “Test Objectives” booklets outline the tests by sub-areas and related objectives. Most helpfully, the booklets clarify each objective with descriptive statements of the types of content covered by the test objective.

There are two “Test Information Booklets”. One provides general information for the MTEL program; the other, information specific to the field being tested. These “Test

Office of Human ResourcesBoston Public SchoolsFall 2011

Information Booklets” are designed to familiarize test takers with the format and content of the subject matter tests of the MTEL, including:

1) Suggestions for preparing to take the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure.

2) Suggestions for approaching the test items you are likely to encounter on the MTEL.

3) Description of the scoring process. 4) Test objectives for this subject matter test. 5) Sample multiple-choice items and a sample open-response item for the

test.

The link to the “Practice Tests” provides one of the most helpful resources for preparing for selected MTELs. Eventually, the Department of Education intends to post practice tests for all MTELs. For now, there are practice tests for 18 MTELS, including both the reading and writing subtests of the Communication and Literacy Skills, the General

-11-

Curriculum, the Foundations of Reading, and the Mathematics MTELS. Practice tests are actual forms of the tests which have been administered previously.

Online Resources on the Colleges of the Fenway Website

The colleges located in the Fenway section of Boston – Emmanuel, Simmons, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and the Massachusetts College of Art – have developed a website for MTEL preparation which is open to the public and may be accessed at http://www.wheelock.edu/MTELc/MTELc_main_1.htm . While some of the information is dated, the site offers links to a number of helpful resources for MTEL preparation, including practice exercises, review materials for subject MTELs, and practice tests with answer keys. This site is highly recommended.

Online Resources on the Westfield State College Website

Westfield State College lists several links to preparation resources at http://www.wsc.ma.edu/math/MTELprep.html. The study guide of the National Evaluation Systems (developer of the MTEL) and the Praxis materials (widely used teacher tests used in many other states) are rich sources of relevant practice questions and information.

Online Resources on the Boston College Website

Published in 2003, Boston College’s MTEL Information and Resource Guide, although dated, contains numerous leads to beneficial study resources. The site can be accessed at http://www2.bc.edu/~duffyk/mtel.html.

Office of Human ResourcesBoston Public SchoolsFall 2011

Online Resources on the Cambridge College Website

The Cambridge College website focuses on the Communication and Literacy Skills MTEL and offers many resources for both the reading and writing subtests. Of special interest, the site includes online resources for the writing of essays that are found on the writing sub-area of this test. The link can be accessed at http://www.cambridgecollege.edu/download/MTEL%20Online%20Test%20Prep%20%20Resources.pdf .

Online Resources San Diego State University Website

The California RICA (reading) exam is similar to the Foundations of Reading MTEL. This website provides extensive material for preparing for the Foundations of Reading test and can be found at coe.sdsu.edu/people/jmora/RICAprep.htm . The site is highly recommended. It also has useful information specifically relating to English Language Learners.

-12-