SEI Endorsement
For Teachers
Q: Does failure to get an SEI Endorsement affect my employability?
A: Because you may not be able to advance, renew, or extend your core academic license(s) if you have failed to obtain the SEI endorsement, lack of the SEI endorsement may affect your employability.
Q: What does it mean to be “SEI Endorsed”?
A: Having an SEI Endorsement means that English Language Learners can be placed in your class if you are a Core Academic Teacher.
Q: How do I know if I am a “Core Academic Teacher” for purposes of the SEI Endorsement requirement?
A: Core Academic Teachers for the purposes of SEI instruction include those who teach:
- Civics and Government
- Early Childhood
- Economics
- Elementary
- English
- History and Geography
- Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Reading
- Science
- Special Education– Moderate Disabilities & Severe Disabilities
Q: Who is NOT required to get an SEI Endorsement?
A: The following are NOT required to get an SEI Endorsement:
- Non-core subject teachers (art, music, computer science, foreign language, physical education, theater, business, etc.)
- Speech-language Pathologists
- Paraprofessionals
- Guidance Counselors
- Substitute Teachers
- Tutors School librarians
- School nurses (not eligible to earn the SEI Endorsement)
- Pre-service teachers
- Retired educators and unemployed educators
Q: By when must I get an SEI Endorsement?
A: If you are a Core Academic Teacher who teaches ELLs, you will be required to earn the SEI Endorsement no later than July 1, 2016.
Q: How do I get an SEI endorsement?
A: You may qualify for an SEI Endorsement by one of the following:
- Completing a DESE-approved course of study specific to SEI;
- Passing an SEI MTEL;
- Holding a bachelor’s degree in a major approved by DESE or completing other graduate-level training approved by the department that embodies the required standards (this includes the creation of a portfolio);
- Holding an English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) or an ELL license.
Q: In which SEI Endorsement Course category am I eligible to participate?
A: The SEI Endorsement course category you are eligible to participate in depends upon your role, and which, if any, previous ELL category training that you have completed.
Q: What is a Teacher Full Course?
A: The Teacher Full Course is intended for Core Academic teachers or instructional coaches who have completed zero or 1 ELL Category training. It consists of 45 hours plus homework between sessions. There are 12 face-to-face sessions, 8 online sessions, and 1 Capstone face-to-face session. As a result of taking this Course, you will receive an SEI Teacher Endorsement, eligibility for an SEI Administrator Endorsement, 67.5 PDPs, and 3 optional graduate credits (at cost from a participating college/university).
Q: What is a Teacher Long Bridge Course?
A: This Course is intended for Core Academic teachers or instructional coaches who have successfully completed 2 of the following ELL Category trainings: Category 1, Category 2, Category 4. It consists of 24 hours plus homework between sessions. There are 8 face-to-face sessions and 1 Capstone face-to-face session. As a result of taking this Course, you will receive an SEI Teacher Endorsement, eligibility for an SEI Administrator Endorsement, 36 PDPs, and 2 optional graduate credits (at cost from a participating college/university).
Q: What is a Teacher Short Bridge Course?
A: This Course is intended for Core Academic teachers or instructional coaches who have successfully completed all 3 of the following ELL Category trainings: Category 1, Category 2 and Category 4. It consists of 15 hours plus homework between sessions. There are 5 face-to-face sessions and 1 Capstone face-to-face session. As a result of taking this Course, you will receive an SEI Teacher Endorsement, eligibility for an SEI Administrator Endorsement, 22.5 PDPs, and 1 optional graduate credit (at cost from a participating college/university).
Q: What are Capstone sessions?
A: During the Capstone dates educators present a final project to their class. Educators are required to attend only 1 Capstone session.
Q: I wasn’t able to get into the free cohorts. What are my options?
A: A list of “for cost” accredited courses is available on the website listed below.
Q: Can I complete an online SEI course?
A: No. You will not be able to earn the SEI Endorsement by completing an online course.
Q: Why can’t Framingham Public Schools teach RETELL courses?
A: After July 1, 2016, the content of the RETELL course will be released to collaboratives but not to districts. Therefore, districts cannot provide RETELL courses.
Q: How much is the SEI MTEL?
A: The examination fee is $155, but you will also need to pay a $30 non-refundable registration fee. For more information, visit the website listed below.
Q: I have an ESL license. Do I still need to apply for the SEI endorsement?
A: Yes. If you possess a valid ESL or ELL license, you automatically qualify for the SEI Teacher Endorsement but must still apply for the endorsement through ELAR.
Q: I just passed the ESL MTEL. Can I get an SEI endorsement?
A: No. Merely passing the ESL MTEL is not sufficient for getting an ESL/ELL license. Teachers who wish to add an ESL license must pass the ESL MTEL test and complete a 150-hour practicum in the role of the license. The 150-hour practicum requirement is a new requirement as of June 2012. Teachers who hold an ESL license are already qualified for the SEI Endorsement.
Q: How do I meet the 150-hour practicum requirement for an ESL license?
A: You can make a request through the Office of Bilingual Education. There is a course online through ITSLEARNING and the Office will help you set up a practicum.
Q: I believe that I qualify for the SEI Endorsement because I have an appropriate degree or graduate level training; what should I do?
A: If you believe that you may qualify for the Endorsement by virtue of having the appropriate degree or graduate level training, you may submit materials (a portfolio) to the Office of Educator Licensure for a no-cost transcript review. For questions about applying for a transcript review please contact The Office of Educator Licensure at 781-338-6600.
Q: How do I apply for an SEI Endorsement?
- Visit www.doe.mass.edu/educators and click on the ELAR logo on the right-hand side of the screen.
- Enter your User Name and Password. If you are not sure of your User Name and Password, click on Forgot User name/Password.
- After logging into ELAR, you may be asked to update some information or you may be directed right to the welcome screen. Please select “apply for a new license, or advance to the next level license”.
- Review the steps to apply for a license and click “next”. Verify your profile information and click “next”. On the following page, select “Endorsements” from the drop-down list and then select the appropriate SEI Endorsement (teacher), select the “Level” and “Type” and then and click “add”.
- Select the path to earn the endorsement and click “next”. For teachers, there is either Path 1 (for those taking the ESE course, that have an ESL/ELL license, will pass the SEI MTEL, etc.) or Path 2 (a transcript review based on a related degree or graduate level training).
- Click “next” to continue to the next page of the application. On the following page, update or enter your affidavit information and click “sign.”
- Click “okay” to continue to the next page of the application. Complete the application by clicking “sign” and then “okay”. On the Payment screen, click “done”.
Q: Is there an ELAR fee for applying for an SEI Endorsement?
A: No fee is required for the SEI Teacher Endorsement by ELAR between 7/1/2012 and 8/31/2016.
Q: I have an Initial License. By when do I need to get the SEI endorsement?
A: As of July 1, 2014, all Core Academic Teachers must qualify for the SEI Endorsement to earn an Initial Teacher License.
Q: I have a Professional License. By when do I need to get the SEI endorsement?
A: As of July 1, 2016, all teachers with Professional Licenses will be required to obtain 150 PDPs within five years in order to renew a professional license, as under current regulations. Under the new regulations, the breakdown of how those must be allocated will be as follows:
- 15 PDPs in ESL and/or SEI;
- 15 PDPs in SPED;
- 90 PDPs in educator’s content or content-based pedagogy, with a minimum of 60 in the content;
- 30 elective PDPs.
A: No, but as of July 1, 2016, you will need to meet the requirements set forth above if you wish to renew your Professional License.
Q: I have a Preliminary License. Will I need to get my SEI Endorsement prior to getting an Initial License?
A: Yes. As of July 1, 2014, all Core Academic Teachers must qualify for the SEI Endorsement to earn an Initial Teacher License.
Q: I hold an endorsement similar to the SEI Endorsement from another state. Will I be able to transfer this Endorsement to my Massachusetts educator license?
A: No. DESE will not recognize SEI Endorsements from any other state.
Q: Will I need to renew the SEI Endorsement?
A: No. Once you obtain the SEI Teacher Endorsement, you do not need to renew it.
Q: I am a Core Academic Teacher who renewed my Professional License in May 2016. Can I have ELL students in my classes?
A: After August 1, 2016, ELL students may be assigned only to Core Academic Teachers who have qualified for an SEI Endorsement or will earn an SEI endorsement within one year.
Q: What happens if I don’t have an SEI Endorsement but I have English Language Learners in my classroom?
A: You have one year to get an SEI Endorsement, or English Language Learners will not be placed in your classroom.
Q: How do I apply for a Hardship Exception?
A: If you are unable to participate in or complete the SEI Endorsement course, you may apply to the Department for a Hardship Exception to the requirement that you earn the SEI Endorsement by August 31, 2016. In order to qualify for this exception, you must submit supporting documentation to demonstrate hardship consisting of “serious illness or injury or other circumstances that are beyond the control of the educator and impede the educator’s ability to complete the requirements for an SEI endorsement.” If the application is granted, you will be given additional time to obtain the SEI Endorsement.
Q: What should I do once I get an SEI Endorsement?
A: Please notify the Office of Human Resources via Talent Ed when you receive your SEI Endorsement(s) (click on “Blank Docs” and choose “DESE License: Update/Add New”).
Q: I have more questions about SEI Endorsement. Where can I get more information?
A: If you have questions about the SEI Endorsement as it relates to your license please contact the Office of Educator Licensure Call Center at 781-338-6600. The call center is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Q: What is the FPS policy regarding SEI Endorsement?
A: Please note that any administrator who evaluates a Core Content teacher must have an SEI Endorsement. For purposes of SEI, the term "Core Academic Teachers" includes early childhood and elementary teachers, teachers of students with moderate disabilities, teachers of students with severe disabilities, and teachers of the following academic subjects: English, Reading and Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Civics and Government, Economics, History, and Geography. Teachers of English As a Second Language must also obtain an SEI Endorsement. All non-PTS employees will have until June 15, 2018, to obtain an SEI Endorsement (if one is needed for their content area), or their reappointment will be held and need to be repeated for the 2018-2019 school year. For instance, if a non-PTS educator is in his/her second year of non-PTS and fails to obtain an SEI Endorsement (should one be needed for the content area) by June 15, 2018, the non-PTS educator will remain a non-PTS employee in his/her second year for the 2018-2019 school year. All PTS staff whose content area requires an SEI Endorsement will have until June 15, 2020, to obtain an SEI Endorsement. Failure to do so may affect one's employment status with the Framingham Public Schools.