A five year federal Transition to Licensed Teaching (TTLT) grant awarded to the Hampshire Educational Collaborative in 2004 is now in its fifth year and new applications are no longer being accepted. We will make you aware of any other opportunities for licensure tuition support as they become available. For those already enrolled in the TTLT grant, we will continue to support your licensure progress tuition-free in accordance with your Commitment Letters.

Frequently Asked Questions about the TTLT Program....

Q: How long will applications be accepted for the TTLT Program?
A. New applications are being accepted through December 2008 only.

Q: What is the Transition to Licensed Teaching (TTLT) Program?
A: The TTLT Program is a teacher licensure program of the Hampshire Educational Collaborative that is grant funded. It supports Initial licensure programs in the areas of Middle School Math, Middle School Math/Science, English as a Second Language, and Moderate Disabilities for eligible candidates. It is designed to increase the number of highly qualified teachers in high need schools in high need school districts by aiding individuals who might not have initially intended to become teachers, to become licensed teaching professionals.

Q: What are the eligibility requirements for the TTLT program?
A: Eligible candidates must be nominated and be employed by a partner district (or have been offered a contract), have a Bachelor's Degree in an area other than education, and must be at least one of the following:

• mid-career changer
• a recent college graduate (within the past 3 years)
• a paraprofessional, teacher on waiver, long-term substitute, or other non-teaching employee in a partner district

Q: Who are the partner districts?
A: They are the following:

• DYS Educational Programs
• Greenfield Public Schools
• Hampshire Educational Collaborative Special Education Programs
• Holyoke Public Schools
• Lowell Public Schools
• New Bedford Public Schools
• North Adams Public Schools
• Springfield Public Schools
• Worcester Public Schools
• Selected Commonwealth Charter Schools

Q: What are the fees for the program?
A: Candidates who are eligible for the TTLT grant and enroll are responsible for a $50 application fee, cost of books and supplies, and required MTEL tests. The grant provides for the tuition.

Q: Are there any other requirements?
A: Yes. Candidates who complete the program must commit to teaching in a high-need school in a high-need district for 3 years.

Q: How is a high-need school defined?
A: The federal government defines a high-need school as having any one of the following characteristics:

• Is located in an area in which the percentage of students from families with incomes below the poverty line is 30% or more
• Is located in an area with a high percentage of out-of-field teachers (currently 6% as defined in section 2102 of ESEA)
• Is within the top quartile of elementary schools and secondary schools statewide as ranked by the number of unfilled, available teacher positions at the schools
• Is located in an area in which there is a high teacher turnover rate
• Is located in an area in which there is a high percentage of teachers who are not certified or licensed

Q: How is a high-need district defined?
A: A high-need school district is one:

• that served not fewer than 10,000 children from families with incomes below the poverty line OR
• for which not less than 20% of children served by the LEA are from families with incomes at or below the poverty level AND
• for which there is a 1) high percentage of teachers not teaching in the academic subjects or grade levels the teachers were trained to teach OR 2) a high percentage of teachers with emergency, provisional, or temporary certification or licensing.

Program Overview

Q: When are the courses taught?
A: The courses are taught in the evenings and Saturdays during the school year, and over full week or part-time week periods in the summer.

Q: Where are the courses taught?
A: The courses are taught at sites throughout Massachusetts.

Q: Who are the instructors?
A: The instructors are current or recent practitioners who are highly regarded in their fields, and have experience teaching adult education and professional development.

Q: How long do I have to complete the program for licensure?
A: It is possible to complete it in about a year, but you may take up to five years to successfully complete all of the requirements toward endorsement for licensure. For grant enrollees, the program must be completed by 2009.

Q: For how many years is the Initial License valid?
A: The Massachusetts Department of Education requirement is that the Initial License is valid for five years. It may be renewed for an additional five years and then a Professional License is required.


Admission Requirements

Q: How many courses are required to complete a licensure program?
A: Each of the licensure programs requires six or seven courses, pre-practicum experiences that are part of the courses, and a practicum for completion.

Q: Are the MTEL tests a requirement?
A: Passing scores on the required MTELs PRIOR to enrollment in the licensure programs that are part of TTLT. If the tests have been scheduled but not completed, candidates who apply to enroll in the program and are grant eligible may take up to two courses tuition free until the tests have been taken and passed. An additional MTEL test is required at the completion of the program for licensure as a teacher of students with moderate disabilities.

Q: What if I don't pass the test(s)? Do I have to pay for the courses?
A: If you are grant eligible and take two courses, but do not subsequently pass the MTEL tests and do not continue in the licensure program on a fee-basis, you will not be required to pay for the courses you have taken.

Q: What if I take those two tuition-free courses and pass the tests(s), and then find out I'm not eligible for the grant or I change my mind?
A: You may enroll in the licensure program on a fee-basis or may discontinue your program.

Q: Will I be able to waive any of the TTLT program requirements?
A: Yes. If you have already taken a course that we offer, we may waive the course requirement. This will require an application for a course waiver, and program committee decision. We can waive a maximum of two courses.


Admission Procedures

Q: What is the admissions process?
A: Candidates must complete an Enrollment Application. The application must be complete such that eligibility can be determined. Applications must be received by August 15 for the Fall semester, December 15 for the Winter/Spring semester, and May 15 for the Summer semester. Notification of acceptance for enrollment will occur within a month of the application deadline.

Q: Do I have to wait until I get confirmation of my eligibility before I register for a course? I'm eager to register for the course that starts in a couple weeks.
A: You may register for a course before the grant eligibility decision has been made; however, if you are subsequently found to not be eligible for the grant, you will be considered to have taken the course on a fee basis.

Q: But then if I register and find out I'm not eligible, do I have to pay for that course?
A: Yes, if you register for a course prior to determination of grant eligibility, you must pay for the course on a fee-basis.

Q: May I audit a course? I have limited finances, and I don't want to commit without knowing what I'm getting into.
A: No, there is no audit option. You may want to explore whether your school system has reimbursement options for approved courses.

Q: If I have enrolled in the program, must I register for each course I take?
A: Yes, you must register for each course. You will receive acknowledgement of that registration, a book list, and notification of course location and meeting times subsequent to your registration.

Q: Can I earn graduate credit or a Master's Degree for this program?
A: Yes. HEC has a partnership with Fitchburg State College. Additional fees must be paid for graduate credit and are not covered by the grant.