MassArtEd.org

MTEL Websites

MTEL Registration Information
www.mtel.nesinc.com

Test Dates
 2010-2011 Schedule and registration information (PDF)

Massachusetts Department of Education MTEL Registration Information
http://www.doe.mass.edu/mtel/register.html

Become an Educator:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/educators/e_becoming.html

About the MTEL

To become licensed in Visual Art, students must  pass two tests:  the Communication and Literacy test, which all prospective teachers must pass, and the subject matter test in Visual Arts.

Communications and Literacy Skills Practice Tests

Reading:
http://www.mtel.nesinc.com/PDFs/MA_FLD001_Reading_PRACTICE_TEST.pdf

Subject Matter Test in Visual Art

Visual Art Subject Matter Practice Test:
http://www.mtel.nesinc.com/PDFs/MTEL_fld17TIB.pdf 

Do you need help preparing for the writing section of the MTEL or any other writing project?

The Writing Center at MassArt is now open for consultations with writing tutors. It is located on the fifth floor of the Tower Building.
Consult the sign-up book near the Learning Center for open appointment times.

The service is free and open to all matriculated MassArt students.
 

Art Education Department MTEL Policy

As you progress in your Art Education major, we want to make sure you are aware of the following: All students in the Art Teacher Education track and the Studio Education track must pass both sections of the MTEL (Communications and Literacy Skills test and Visual Arts test). You are not eligible to student teach before passing both tests. In order to facilitate your successful completion of this requirement, the following policies have been put into place:

During Seminar I you must  register for the MTEL Communication and Literacy test. You must present a copy of your test registration to your instructor in order to fulfill this requirement. 

Likewise, during  Pre-Practicum I you must register for the MTEL Visual Arts test. You must present a copy of your test registration to your instructor in order to fulfill this requirement. In addition, you may not register to take an MTEL section during Pre-Practicum II (Saturday Studios) as this would mean missing a Saturday. The only students not required to take the MTEL are those in the Community/Museum Education track. Students from this track who decide to become certified may have their program delayed if the above timetable is not met.

MTEL Requirements for Student-Teaching
To student teach, students must have passed both sections of the MTEL by the following dates:
• For Spring student teaching: the  July test preceding the student-teaching term*
• For Fall student teaching:  the March test preceding the student-teaching term *

*Exceptions are made only for students who have taken all sections of the tests at least twice by the deadline administration required for student teaching in a given term but have not passed. Taking all sections but not passing qualifies students to be considered for exception, which may, but will not necessarily, be granted at the discretion of the faculty in all cases.

Information for registering for the tests  & helpful preparation resources

Massachusetts Department of Education MTEL Registration Information

http://www.doe.mass.edu/mtel/   

Communication and Literacy Skills Resources:

Resources for Preparing for MTEL

For the Communication and Literacy Skills Test:
Rae, G., Jenson-Wilson, A., Brick, B., & Walsh, B. (2007). MTEL Communication & Literacy Skills (REA)The best Test Prep for the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure.   New Jersey Research & Education Association.

Online text of Strunk's classic text Elements of Style
with chapters on rules of usage and principles of composition:
An MLA Handbook for Writers

MTEL  Test Preparation Resources web site:
Practice Tests:  http://www.mtel.nesinc.com/MA_PT_opener.asp

Simmons College Course (Colleges of the Fenway)
Communications & Literacy Course
Contact: Stephanie Hamel     
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   617-521-2555

Other Test Prep courses:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/mtel/faq/tprep_lst.html

MTEL Workshop at Lesley University  

If interested in attending, visit: www.lesley.edu/certification

Books to help study for the Subject Matter Test:

Beckett, W. (2002). Sister Wendy - The Complete Collection (Story of Painting/ Grand Tour / Odyssey / Pains of Glass). Warner Home Video.

Greer, T. & Lewis, G. (2001). A Brief History of the Western World. Florida: Harcourt Brace College Publishers.

Hume, H. (2003). Art Teachers Book of Lists. Indiana: Jossey-Bass.

Hoving, A., & Wyeth, A. (1999). Art for Dummies. N.J.: Wiley Publishing.

Kleiner, F. (2000). Gardner's Art Through the Ages. Kentucky: Wadsworth Publishing.

Parks, Michael.  The Art Teacher's Desktop Reference.  (1994)  Prentice Hall.
Preble, D. (2003). Artforms: An Introduction to the Visual Arts, Revised. Canada: Person Education.

PBS collection of art videos in the Godine Library. Boston: Mass College of Art.

Stokstad, M. (2001).  Art History. Canada: Pearson Education.

Stokstad, M. (2003).  Art History Trade. Canada: Pearson Education.

Strickland, C. & Boswell, J. (1992). The Annotated Mona Lisa: A Crash Course in Art History from Prehistoric to Post-Modern.
Kansas: Andrews McMeel Publishing.

XAM (XAMonline).  MTEL Visual Art Sample Test 17. (2009)  Boston

The Artist's Handbook by Ray Smith

Visual Art Test Information Booklet:  http://www.mtel.nesinc.com/PDFs/MTEL_fld17TIB.pdf

Art for Dummies by Thomas Hoving and Andrew Wyeth

Understanding Art by Fichrer Rathus (2003).  Kentucky: Wadsworth Publishing.

PBS collection of art videos (available at the MassArt library)

XAM (XAMonline), MTEL Communication & Literacy Skills 01.  (2009) Boston.
Zucco, Chuck.  MTEL Magic, Communication & Literacy Skills Test - Writing.  (2009)   Aughor House, USA.

Study tips:

• Make an art history time line and be sure to know one artist and one work representing each movement
• Review 14th century Italian art
• Review Non-western art, including African and Aboriginal
• Note in the essay question-note that along with a main question are sub-questions. Be sure to answer all sub-questions within the main question.
• Read essay questions first so you can be thinking about them while you take the multiple choice section. Hopefully some of the specific names in the multiple choice questions may trigger an approach to the essay question.