MTEL WORKSHOP CATALOG Winter/Spring 2012 Office of Human Resources Boston Public Schools January 2012 Office of Human Resources Boston Public Schools Fall 2011 Contents page Introduction……………………………..………………………….……..1 How to Apply for Workshops?...................................................................1 What’s New for School Year 2011-2012…………………………………1-3 Electronic Score Report Revisions to ID Requirements for Paper-Based Testing Change in Passing Score Requirement for General Curriculum Mathematics Subtest Change to Computer-Based Testing Fee Test Preparation Video Now Available Getting 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 Resources Boston Public Schools Fall 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- Office of Human Resources Boston Public Schools Fall 2011 REVISION TO ID REQUIREMENTS FOR PAPER-BASED TESTING 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 Resources Boston Public Schools Fall 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 Resources Boston Public Schools Fall 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 Resources Boston Public Schools Fall 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) 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- Office of Human Resources Boston Public Schools Fall 2011 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 Emergency applies) Score Report Date October 28, 2011 November 11, 2011 December 23, 2011 April 6, 2012** (additional fee applies) November 19, 2011 October 7, 2011 March 3, 2012 January 20, 2012 February 10, 2012 February Registration Deadline (additional fee 24, 2012 May 12, 2012 March 30, 2012 April 20, 2012 May 4, 2012 June 15, 2012** June 1, 2012 June 22, 2012 July 6, 2012 August 17, 2012 July 14, 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 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 Score Report Date* Monday–Saturday, excluding holidays, unless otherwise noted January 2012 January 19–February 1 February 2012 February 16–29 February 22, 2012 March 21, 2012 April 2012 April 12–25 May 16, 2012 June 2012 June 14–27 July 18, 2012 August 2012 August 17–30 -6- September 20, 2012 Office of Human Resources Boston Public Schools Fall 2011 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 1. BPSESLSEP 2. BPSCLSTW 3. BPSFOR Workshop English as a Second Language Communications and Literacy Skills-Writing Subarea Foundations of Reading 4. BPSGENCURRMATH Gen’l CurriculumMath Subarea Online Study Program 5. BPSCLSTR Communications and Literacy Skills-Reading Subarea Communications and Literacy Skills-Writing Middle School Math 6. BPSCLSTW 7. BPSMSMATH Dates Feb 21, 23 Times 9am-3pm Fee $100 Hours 12 Jan 26, Feb 2, 9, 16, 23, & Mar 1 Jan 30, Feb 6, 13, 27 Online 4-6 pm $100 12 4:30-7:30pm $100 12 24/7 Unlimited access Online 24/7 diagnostic exam only $25 diagnostic exam and selfpaced review program $200 $125 Online 24/7 $125 Unlimited access Online 24/7 $175 Unlimited access -7- Unlimited access Office of Human Resources Boston Public Schools Fall 2011 Option MTEL Workshops – Bridgewater State University (All workshops held on college campus in Bridgewater) Workshop Dates Times 8. BSUCLSTA Communication and Literacy Skills 9. BSUGCMULT 10. BSUGCMATH Fee Hours Feb 5, 12, & 19 9-1 pm $140 12 General CurriculumMulti-Subject Subtest Jan 23, 30 Feb 6, 13 & 27 5-8 pm $150 15 Feb 2, 7, 9, 14 & 16 5-8 pm $150 15 11. BSUEC General Curriculum – Math Subtest only 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 Option 16. SSUCLST 17. SSUFOR 18. SSUGCMATH 19. SSUGCMULTISUBJ 20. SSUEC 21. SSUMATH MTEL Workshops – Salem State University (All workshops held on college campus in Salem) Workshop Dates Times Communication & Feb 11, 18, 25 8:30 am - noon Literacy Skills Foundations of Reading Feb 11, 18, 25 8:30 am - noon Fee $100 Hours 10. 5 $100 10. 5 General Curriculum – Math Subtest General Curriculum – Multi-Subject Subtest Early Childhood Feb 11, 18, 25 8:30 am - noon $100 10.5 Feb 11, 18, 25 12:30-4 pm $100 10. 5 Feb 11, 18, 25 12:30-4 pm $100 10. 5 Middle/High School Math Review Feb 11, 18, 25 12:30-4 pm $100 10.5 -8- Office of Human Resources Boston Public Schools Fall 2011 MTEL Workshops – Lesley University No 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 22. LESUCLSTR Communication and Jan 28 10 am – 4 $67 Literacy Skills – Reading pm Subtest 23. LESUCLSTW Communication and Jan 29 9 am – 6 $100 Literacy Skills – Writing pm Subtest 24. LESUFOR Foundations of Reading Feb 5 1 – 5 pm $49 25. LESUGCMULTI 26. LESUEC 27 . LESUGCMath General Curriculum Multi Subject Subtest Early Childhood Feb 5 General Curriculum Math Subtest Jan 22, Feb 4, 11 & 25 Feb 5 9am - 12 noon 10 am – noon 8 am – 12:30 pm Hours 6 9 4 $40 3 $35 2 $300 (includes online diagnostic test) 16 Fee Free for CC students; others $200 Free for CC students; others $200 Free for CC students; others $200 Free for CC students; others $200 Free for CC students; others $200 Hours 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 28 CCCLST Workshop Communications & Literacy Skills Dates Feb 4, 11. 18, 25 Times 9 am-2 pm 29. CCFOR Foundations of Reading Feb 4, 11. 18, 25 9 am-2 pm 30. CCGCMATH General Curriculum – Math Subtest Feb 4, 11. 18, 25 9 am-2 pm 31. CCESL English as a 2nd Language Feb 4, 11. 18, 25 9 am-2 pm 32 CCEC Early Childhood Feb 4, 11. 18, 25 9 am-2 pm -9- 16 16 16 16 Office of Human Resources Boston Public Schools Fall 2011 Option 33. CUCGCMATHREV Prep for May 12 and July 14 MTELs MTEL Workshops – Curry College (Workshops held on college campus in Milton) Workshop Dates Times General Curriculum – Mar 21, 28, Apr 4, 6-8:30 pm Mathematics Subtest 11, 25, May 2, 9 Review of basic math behind General Curriculum Math Subtest 34. CUCFORREVIEW Foundations of Reading Feb 11 9 am-3 pm Fee $195 Hours 15 $95 6 MTEL Workshops – Simmons College (Workshops held on college campus in Boston) Option Workshop Dates Times Fee Hours 35. SIMFOR Foundations of Feb 18 9 am-3 pm $100 6 Reading 36. SIMGCMATH* General TBA 9 am-3 pm 1 session-$100* 6 Curriculum – Math 2 sessions-$150 12 Subtest (check back) 3 sessions-$200 18 37. SIMGCMULTI General TBA 9 am-3 pm $100 6 Curriculum Multi – Subject Subtest (check back st *1 session – Number sense & Operations; 2nd session-Functions & Algebra; 3rd session-Geometry, Statistics, and Probability Option 38. UMASSGCMATH For March 3 MTEL MTEL Workshops - UMASS/Boston (Workshops held on university campus in Boston) Workshop Dates Times General Feb 11, 18, 25 9 –11:30am Curriculum Math General Curriculum Math Mar 3, 10, 17 9 –11:30am 40. UMASSFOR Foundations of Reading Feb 4 9 am – 3 pm 41. UMASSCLST Communications and Literarcy Skills Test Feb 4 9 am- 12 Reading 1-5 pm Writing 39. UMASSGCMATH For May 12 and July 14 MTEL -10- Fee $65 plus $25 materials charge $65 plus $25 materials charge $65 plus $15 materials charge $65 plus $20 materials charge Hours 8.5 8.5 6 7 Office of Human Resources Boston Public Schools Fall 2011 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 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- Office of Human Resources Boston Public Schools Fall 2011 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. 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-