HOUSSE Reciprocity, HOUSSE Phase-out Plans and HOUSSE for Specific Teachers (Updated July 2006)

State's Plan to Phase Out the HOUSSE Option for General Education Teachers

Massachusetts licensing requirements, enacted in 1999, established standards that meet the newer HQT requirements.

The MA DOE proposes using the HOUSSE option for teachers who are not new to the profession through June 2007. Therefore, teachers licensed prior to 1999, HOUSSE will remain an option through June 2007. Teachers licensed after 1999 are required to take the appropriate MTEL exam.

HOUSSE will be phased out at the end of June 2007 for all teachers except the specific population of teachers listed below.

HOUSSE will remain available to specific populations of teachers in shortage areas such as ELL and special education teachers as a way to demonstrate subject matter competency in the multiple subjects that they teach through one avenue instead of taking multiple MTEL exams, or obtaining multiple graduate degrees. The HOUSSE option will enable teachers from these categories to meet the HQT subject matter competency requirements so long as they are highly qualified in language arts, mathematics, or science at the time of hire