MTEL Sheltered English Immersion (56)

The SEI test is given by computer at Pearson VUE testing centers in Massachusetts and across the country, and it can also be taken at home with an online proctor during monthly testing windows. It combines 60 multiple-choice questions with one long open-response assignment in five parts.

Key Facts About the MTEL SEI Test

Subarea Weights on the SEI Test

Subarea IV is the single biggest piece of your score. It asks you to apply everything in Subareas I to III to one real lesson, so studying the content chapters is also studying for the open response.

Your multiple-choice score is based on the number of questions you answer correctly. There is no penalty for a wrong answer, so never leave a question blank. A few questions may be unscored trial items, and you cannot tell which ones they are.

The open response is scored on a four-point scale against four performance characteristics: how fully you achieve the purpose of each task, how accurate your subject knowledge is, how well you support your points with specific examples from the mentor text, and how sound your rationale is. Responses that are off-topic, too short, illegible or written mainly in a language other than English cannot be scored. One part of the first task, identifying the grade level and discipline of the text you chose, must be answered or none of your five responses will be scored.

Both parts are combined and converted to a scaled score from 100 to 300. You need 240 to pass.

• Classroom scenarios: a teacher, a grade level, students at particular English proficiency levels, and a question about the best strategy, the next step, or what a practice primarily accomplishes
• Knowledge questions about laws and regulations, second-language acquisition theory, the WIDA proficiency levels, vocabulary tiers, linguistic terms and assessments such as ACCESS for ELLs
• Short excerpts of student speech or writing to analyze for language features or errors
• One open-response assignment built on an informational mentor text you choose from ten options, from early childhood to high school physics

• Scores are posted to your MTEL account on the published score-report date for your test.
• Your report shows whether you passed and how you performed in each subarea and on the open response.
• If you do not pass, use the subarea results to plan your study and register again under the MTEL retake policy.
• Your passing score goes to DESE, and you apply for the SEI Teacher Endorsement through your educator licensure account.