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Test Information Guide

Overview and Test Objectives:
Field 72: Early Childhood

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, 2 open-response items
Time 4 hours (does not include 15-minute CBT tutorial)
Passing Score 240

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 outlined in the table below.

Test Objectives

Table outlining test content and subject weighting by sub area and objective.
Subareas Range of Objectives Approximate Test Weighting
Multiple-Choice
1 Child Development, Language Foundations, and the Writing Process 01–03 26%
2 Core Knowledge in Mathematics 04–05 20%
3 Core Knowledge in History and Social Science 06–07 17%
4 Core Knowledge in Science and Technology/Engineering 08–09 17%
80%
Open-Response
5 Integration of Knowledge and Understanding
History/Social Science or Science/Technology/Engineering Concepts and Processes 10 10%
Mathematics Concepts and Processes 11 10%
20%

 

Subarea 1–Child Development, Language Foundations, and the Writing Process

Objective 0001: Understand the science, including neuroscience, of child development and learning and its application to provide and differentiate experiences that holistically promote early childhood development across all domains for all children.

For example:

Objective 0002: Understand the foundations of language development and developmentally appropriate, evidence-based methods for supporting children's emergent literacy development.

For example:

Objective 0003: Understand the foundations of writing development and developmentally appropriate, evidence-based strategies for promoting children's emergent writing skills and writing competence.

For example:

 

Subarea 2–Core Knowledge in Mathematics

Objective 0004: Understand concepts and processes of mathematics as they apply to early childhood education.

For example:

0005: Demonstrate the ability to provide developmentally appropriate instruction to promote mathematics learning.

For example:

 

Subarea 3–Core Knowledge in History and Social Science

Objective 0006: Understand principles and concepts of history and social science as they apply to early childhood education.

For example:

Objective 0007: Demonstrate the ability to provide developmentally appropriate, content-specific instruction to promote history and social science learning.

For example:

 

Subarea 4–Core Knowledge in Science and Technology/Engineering

Objective 0008: Understand principles and concepts of science and technology/engineering as they apply to early childhood education.

For example:

Objective 0009: Demonstrate the ability to provide developmentally appropriate, content-specific instruction to promote science and technology/engineering learning.

For example:

 

Subarea 5–Integration of Knowledge and Understanding

Objective 0010: Prepare an organized, well-developed analysis on a topic related to the development of concepts and processes related to history and social science or science and technology/engineering.

For example:

Objective 0011: Prepare an organized, well-developed analysis on a topic related to the development of concepts and processes related to mathematics.

For example: