RETELL

We have resources and answers to your frequently asked questions about the Rethinking Equity and Teaching for English Language Learners (RETELL) and Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Endorsement requirements and courses.

How does the new bilingual education law impact SEI Endorsement requirements? The SEI Endorsement requirements for Massachusetts educators will remain in place. For more, Read The Policy Minute, the blog produced by the MTA's Center for Education Policy and Practice.

ESL Law & SEI MTA on Bilingual Ed Law

For Vocational Technical Educators

Educator Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

RETELL FAQs

Answers to your questions about RETELL

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Approved Providers

RETELL Providers

Find an approved provider

SEI Courses

DESE Documents

Seal of Mass
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's RETELL site.

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Requirements and Routes to SEI Endorsement

Core Academic Teachers of ELLs

As of July 1, 2016, all Core Academic Teachers of ELLs and all administrators who are supervising and evaluating core academic teachers of ELLs must hold the SEI Endorsement or obtain the SEI Endorsement within one year. Failure to qualify for the SEI Endorsement may result in one’s license being "restricted" and blocked from being extended, advanced or renewed.

Educators May Choose Any Route to SEI Endorsement:

Approved educator preparation program
For-cost SEI Endorsement courses
SEI MTEL exam
Hold an ESL teacher license
DESE review of prior coursework

Regulations: Assignment of ELLs to Teachers, 603 CMR 14.07

Core Academic Teachers

Teachers must hold the SEI Endorsement to obtain an initial license as a core academic teacher. This applies to all initial license applications after July 1, 2014.

Educators missing only the SEI Endorsement requirement may apply for the commissioner's determination to extend the validity period for a preliminary license.

Core Academic Teachers: Teachers of students with moderate disabilities; teachers of students with severe disabilities; subject-area teachers in English, reading or language arts, mathematics, science, civics and government, economics, history and geography, early childhood and elementary teachers.

Educators May Choose Any Route to SEI Endorsement:

Approved educator preparation program
For-cost SEI Endorsement courses
SEI MTEL exam
Hold an ESL teacher license
DESE review of prior coursework

Regulations: Requirements for Licensure, 603 CMR 7.04

Academic Professional Licenses

Requirements for those renewing academic professional licenses*.

150 Total PDPs:

15 PDPs in Content
15 PDPs in Pedagogy
15 PDPs in ESL/SEI
15 PDPs in SPED
90 Elective PDPs

PDPs earned from DESE SEI Endorsement:

May be counted as content, SEI or elective PDPs.
May roll over into next license renewal cycle if the educator already holds 150 PDPs.

Regulations: Licenses Renewed On or After July 1, 2016, 603 CMR 44.06

*Vocational Technical Teachers (Ch. 74) are not subject to the new PDP requirements.

Need Additional Help?

Beth Tripathi, education policy specialist, etripathi@massteacher.org
Gary Gilardi, education policy specialist, ggilardi@massteacher.org
RETELL team at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, retell@doe.mass.edu