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H 665

An Act amending the professional licensure requirements for teachers

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kelly Pease

Replaces the master's degree requirement for standard teacher certification with a five-year provisional path based on performance, subject-matter mastery, and district-approved PD.

Hearing scheduled for 12/02/2025 from 01:00 PM-02:00 PM in A-2
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Bill Summary · H 665

Summary of H 665: An Act amending the professional licensure requirements for teachers

Overview

H 665 proposes substantial changes to Massachusetts teacher licensure by reconfiguring the pathway from provisional to standard educator certification. The bill aims to remove the master’s degree requirement as a prerequisite for standard certification and replace it with a performance- and development-based pathway anchored in five years of provisional service, demonstrated performance, subject matter proficiency, and a professional development plan approved by the local district. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) would issue guidelines to implement the new pathway, and the Board of Education would prepare a report within 12 months assessing the impact of removing the master’s degree requirement.

Key Provisions

  • Section 1: Redefines “Standard educator certificate”

    • Valid for five-year renewable terms.
    • Eligibility to qualify for a standard certificate requires: 1) Holding a provisional educator certificate for at least five years. 2) Demonstrating teaching proficiency via performance evaluations and evidence of student learning. 3) Meeting subject matter knowledge requirements set by the board. 4) Completing a professional development plan approved by the local school district.

  • Section 2: Revision of the post-provisional pathway

    • Replaces the prior language with a new standard: within not less than one year after issuance of a provisional certificate, the commissioner shall issue a standard educator certificate to a provisional holder who has:
    • (i) At least five years of service as a provisional educator in a Massachusetts public school district.
    • (ii) Demonstrated satisfactory performance based on district evaluations, including student learning and growth, instructional effectiveness, and classroom management, per board guidelines.
    • (iii) Completed a professional development plan aligned with continued education in teaching strategies, content knowledge, and classroom management, approved by the local district.
    • (iv) Met subject matter knowledge and teaching skill standards through assessments, observations, or portfolio reviews.

  • Section 3: Regulatory authority

    • Authorizes the Board of Education to revise regulations to remove the master’s degree requirement and establish new pathways based on demonstrated performance, professional development, and classroom experience.

  • Section 4: Implementation guidelines

    • DESE must issue guidelines to school districts to implement the new certification pathway, ensuring five-year provisional teachers have the opportunity to obtain a standard certificate based on performance, PD, and subject matter proficiency.

  • Section 5: Accountability and evaluation

    • The Board must prepare a report within 12 months analyzing the impact of removing the master’s degree requirement on teacher retention, student outcomes, and professional development, and provide recommendations for needed supports.

Who Is Affected

  • Provisional educators in Massachusetts public school districts seeking standard certification.
  • Local school districts responsible for approving professional development plans.
  • DESE and the Board of Education, which would set regulations, guidelines, and assessment criteria.
  • All teachers currently pursuing or holding standard certification, particularly those without a master’s degree.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Referred to the Committee on Education (2/27/2025); Senate concurrence indicated.
  • Hearing schedule:
    • 10/14/2025 (Gardner Auditorium) and 12/02/2025 from 01:00 PM–02:00 PM (A-2).
  • Related bill: HD 838 (replaces).

Potential Impact (Contextual)

  • Could streamline and accelerate path to standard certification by focusing on demonstrated classroom performance and ongoing professional development rather than a master’s degree.
  • May affect teacher supply by broadening pathways, potentially improving retention if implemented with robust support and district alignment.
  • Requires careful implementation to ensure consistent evaluation standards, equitable access to PD, and alignment with student outcomes. A forthcoming DESE guideline and a Board-ordered 12-month impact report are planned to address these aspects.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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