This past summer, SABES staff worked with a group of five veteran ABE teachers to help design a support system for teachers who might want to obtain the new ABE teacher's license, which was officially rolled out on October 1, 2001. An additional twenty teachers have been recruited for the Field Test, which was launched at a half-day meeting at Central SABES on November 13th.

As determined by the summer planning, the Field Test teachers are working as peer-support groups, one in each of the five SABES region. They will try out and improve newly developed materials -- a Handbook, worksheets, and templates -- as they seek the license together. After producing and submitting Application Packets to DOE's Office of Educator Certification and Licensure, the Field Testers will also be using lists of resources, which have been compiled for each of the license's teaching standards, as they help each other put together portfolios to submit to DOE Review Panels. The successes and difficulties they meet as they move forward will help SABES refine the support system and its various elements.

To support the Field Test teachers, and any teacher who wants help going after the new license, SABES has developed a new Web site: www.sabes.org/license The Web site provides the same support materials being used by the Field Testers, plus links to connect license-seeking teachers to SABES and DOE staff members, other teachers, resources, training opportunities, and official documents. Speaking of official documents, the regulations governing the new license, plus application and other forms, are steadily appearing on www.doe.mass.edu/cert Guidelines and additional materials will be posted as they are approved.

If you'd like more information, or if you have questions, please contact Carey Reid at creid@worlded.org or 617-482-9485 or the Office of Educator Certification and Licensure at 781-338-6600.