Test Information Guide

Overview and Test Objectives
Field 79: Bilingual Education

Test Overview

Table outlining the test format, number of questions, time, and passing score.
Format Computer-based test (CBT) and online proctored test; 100 multiple-choice questions
Time 3 hours (does not include 15-minute CBT tutorial)
Passing Score To be determined

The Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) are designed to measure a candidate's knowledge of the subject matter contained in the test objectives for each field. The MTEL are aligned with the Massachusetts educator licensure regulations and, as applicable, with the standards in the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks.

The test objectives specify the content to be covered on the test and are organized by major content subareas. The chart below shows the approximate percentage of the total test score derived from each of the subareas.

The test assesses a candidate's proficiency and depth of understanding of the subject at the level required for a baccalaureate major according to Massachusetts standards. Candidates are typically nearing completion of or have completed their undergraduate work when they take the test.

Pie chart of approximate test weighting.

Sub area I 15%, Sub area II 15%, Sub area III 15%, Sub area IV 25%, Sub area V 15%, and Sub area VI 15%.

Test Objectives

Table outlining test content and subject weighting by sub area and objective
Subareas Range of Objectives Approximate Test Weighting
Multiple-Choice
1 Language, Linguistics, and Comparisons 01–03 15%
II Culture 04–06 15%
III Second-Language Acquisition and Instructional Practices 07–09 15%
IV Integration of Standards into Curriculum and Instruction 10–14 25%
5 Assessment 15–17 15%
VI Professionalism 18–20 15%

 

Subarea 1–Language, Linguistics, and Comparisons

Objective 0001: Understand major concepts and principles related to the nature of language and language systems.

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Objective 0002: Understand fundamentals of linguistics and comparative linguistics and how to apply this understanding to promote language and literacy development in English and the target  non English  language of instruction.

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Objective 0003: Understand fundamentals of sociolinguistics and how to apply this understanding to promote language and literacy development in English and the target  non English  language of instruction.

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Subarea II–Culture

Objective 0004: Understand major concepts, principles, theories, and research related to the nature of culture.

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Objective 0005: Understand the role of culture in language development and academic achievement.

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Objective 0006: Understand how to create a culturally inclusive learning environment that supports individual students' language development and academic achievement.

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Subarea III– second language  Acquisition and Instructional Practices

Objective 0007: Understand  second language  acquisition theories and research and how to apply this understanding to facilitate bilingual education students' language and literacy development.

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Objective 0008: Understand individual learner variables in the  second language  acquisition process and how to apply this understanding to facilitate bilingual education students' language and literacy development.

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Objective 0009: Understand  research based  best practices related to planning and implementing bilingual education instruction, including how to select, adapt, and use instructional resources.

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Subarea IV–Integration of Standards into Curriculum and Instruction

Objective 0010: Understand the  W I D A  English Language Development ( E L D ) Standards and the state English language arts ( E L A ) standards related to listening and strategies for teaching bilingual education students to acquire and use listening skills in English and the target  non English  language of instruction.

For example:

Objective 0011: Understand the  W I D A  English Language Development ( E L D ) Standards and the state English language arts ( E L A ) standards related to speaking and strategies for teaching bilingual education students to acquire and use speaking skills in English and the target  non English  language of instruction.

For example:

Objective 0012: Understand the  W I D A  English Language Development ( E L D ) Standards and the state English language arts ( E L A ) standards related to reading and strategies for teaching bilingual education students to acquire and use reading skills in English and the target  non English  language of instruction.

For example:

Objective 0013: Understand  W I D A  English Language Development ( E L D ) Standards and the state English language arts ( E L A ) standards related to writing and strategies for teaching bilingual education students to acquire and use writing skills in English and the target  non English  language of instruction.

For example:

Objective 0014: Understand how to support bilingual education students' access to the core curriculum as outlined in the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks as they learn language and academic content.

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Subarea 5–Assessment

Objective 0015: Understand major concepts and principles related to  standards based  assessment of bilingual education students.

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Objective 0016: Understand various assessment issues and factors related to the assessment of bilingual education students.

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Objective 0017: Understand how to select, develop, adapt, and use various classroom assessment tools and techniques; analyze assessment results; and adjust instruction for bilingual education students based on assessment results.

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Subarea VI–Professionalism

Objective 0018: Understand the legal and historical foundations of bilingual education.

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Objective 0019: Understand the bilingual education teacher's role as a professional within a discipline.

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Objective 0020: Understand how to serve as a resource and advocate for bilingual education students and how to build effective partnerships with bilingual education students' families and communities to support students' language development and academic achievement.

For example: