DESE is looking for your good ideas about making that Byzantine licensure system, well, a bit less byzantine. Applications due April 22, 2016
Opportunity to Join the Working Group for Streamlining Educator Licensure Regulations & Policies:
The Department plans to engage a Streamlining Licensure Regulations & Policies Working Group of stakeholders to, among other things, review the existing regulations and licensure system as well as proposals about the requirements to enter and advance within the profession. This work is aligned with Governor Baker’s Executive Order 562 to reduce unnecessary regulatory burden.
The Department is seeking pre-K-12 educators, individuals involved in preparing new educators, newly licensed teachers, and other interested individuals for the working group. Participants should have knowledge, experience and/or an educational background related to educator licensure, license renewal/professional development, and professional teacher and administrator standards and indicators. The Department expects a workgroup of approximately 15-20 individuals so that the work can move expeditiously while being broadly representative of the educator workforce.
To apply to join the working group, submit the following three documents to Tonya Safford at tsafford@doe.mass.edu by Friday, April 22, 2016: a resume of two pages or less, including relevant experience, education and publications; a one- to two-page statement of interest written in 12-point Times New Roman font indicating the applicant’s particular area of expertise/interest and responding to the following question: If you could change one thing about the existing licensure regulations, what change would you make?; and a commitment to participate in the following four meeting dates from 4-6:30 p.m. (Tuesday, May 10, 2016; Wednesday, May 25; Tuesday, June 14; and Tuesday, June 28), including availability for preparation work in advance of meetings and feedback on documents in between meetings. All meetings will be held at ESE, 75 Pleasant St., Malden.
All applicants will be contacted by Wednesday, April 27, 2016. Anyone with questions can contact Brian Devine, director of the Office of Educator Licensure at bdevine@doe.mass.edu or 781-338-3124.
Workgroup recommendations will go through a public vetting process before the Board of elementary and Secondary Education adopts any changes to licensure regulations.