VI. MTEL Reading Foundations Test

A. READING FOUNDATIONS TEST INFORMATION AND PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS

As of October 1, 2003, a Reading Foundations Test is required of all candidates applying for Early Childhood (PreK-2), Elementary (1-6), or Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8 or 5-9) Licensure. Objectives for the new test are available on the Department of Education (DOE) web site at www.doe.mass.edu/educators/mtel.

The 2003 regulations for educator licensure and program approval list the following topics to be addressed through the test objectives and on the Reading Foundations Test.

1. Reading theory, research, and practice

1. Knowledge of the significant theories, approaches, practices, and programs for developing reading skills and reading comprehension
2. Phonemic awareness and phonics: principles, knowledge, and instructional practices
3. Diagnosis and assessment of reading skills using standardized, criterion-referenced, and informal assessment instruments

2. Development of a listening, speaking and reading vocabulary
3. Theories on the relationships between beginning writing and reading
4. approaches and practices for developing skill in using writing tools
5. Theories of first and second language acquisition and development

B. SUGGESTED RESOURCES

Test objectives and an information guide are the primary preparation resources from the state for each of the MTEL subtests. The objectives and a guide are available for the Reading Foundations Test on line at www.doe.mass.edu/educators/mtel . National Evaluation Systems, the test manufacturer and vendor also has a website filled with helpful information for teacher test preparation at www.nesinc.com. The Massachusetts English Language Arts Curriculum Framework is another resource for test preparation, and it is also located on the DOE web site.

Faculty members from language and literacy departments in the Colleges of the Fenway, and with funding from a Davis Foundation Grant, have studied the test objectives and designed a practice test for the MTEL Foundations of Reading exam. The practice test is intended only for the use of students and alumni of the colleges in the Colleges of the Fenway Network, and it is password protected. To obtain password access to the practice test site, contact your COF representative to the Department of Education.

Contact persons:
Emmanuel College – stavrosa@emmanuel.edu
Mass College of Art – cbing@massart.edu
Simmons College – hguttentag@simmons.edu
Wheelock College – dmckibbens@wheelock.edu

Brief information and sample questions are provided below for the benefit of the numerous individuals in the on-site community and the on-line community and who use the COF web page for support as they prepare to take the MTEL subtests.

C. INFORMATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE ON-LINE PRACTICE TEST

The most important resource to use in preparation for the Foundations of Reading Test is the test objectives. Candidates are advised to examine carefully each objective and each element listed under those objectives. Note beside each element whether or not you have full recognition and understanding of the content represented by that element. If not, research the term in former or current course texts and through other resources. A number of higher education institutions in Massachusetts have set aside areasin their college or university library for resource collections that are ideal for MTEL preparation. Candidates are also advised to use the MA DOE and the NES websites in test preparation.

The two questions that follow are similar to those on the Reading Foundations Practice Test developed by faculty for Colleges of the Fenway students.

Related to objective 001 Understand phonological and phonemic awareness

Sample question 1. When students in Ms. Grant’s Pre-kindergarten class stamp their feet to replicate the number of syllables they hear in each student’s name, they are demonstrating:

1. phonemic awareness
2. phonological awareness
3. phonic knowledge
4. knowledge of print concepts

Answer: b. phonological awareness

Related to objective 0005 Understand vocabulary development

Sample question 2. Mr. Gomez is introducing a new play to his sixth graders, Our Town, by Thornton Wilder. This play was published by Thornton Wilder in 1938, and Mr. Gomez has identified a list of words he thinks will be unfamiliar to his students. Which of the following is most critical to student understanding of the text?

1. discussing the list of unfamiliar words and their definitions prior to reading;
2. providing time before reading for students to look up the definitions of the words on the list in the dictionary;
3. directly teach only a few words central to the text before reading;
4. asking students to record any unfamiliar words in their reader’s notebooks as they read.

Answer: c. directly teach only a few words central to the text before reading

More information and sample questions are available on the National Evaluations MTEL web page at www.nesinc.com.

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