 Section
1 - About the Program:
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| 1. |
What is a Master Mathematics Teacher? |
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A Master Mathematics Teacher (MMT)
is an individual who holds a Master Mathematics
Teacher certificate and whose primary duties are
to teach Mathematics and to serve as a Mathematics
mentor to other teachers. Additional information
about the Master Mathematics Teacher Program can
be found on the Texas Education Website at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/edex/master/mmtinfo.html. |
| 2. |
What is the purpose of the Master
Mathematics Teacher program? |
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The Master Mathematics Teacher program
was implemented as part of the Texas Mathematics
Initiative to ensure that all Texas students are
Mathematics on grade level by grade 3 and that
their Mathematics knowledge and skills grow throughout
their public school careers. The goals of both
the Master Mathematics Teacher program are to provide
proficient teachers with the tools to enhance their
expertise in the content and pedagogy of Mathematics,
and to guide fellow teachers in improving their
Mathematics instruction. |
| 3. |
Who is eligible to obtain a Master
Mathematics Teacher certificate? |
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The Master Mathematics Teacher
Certificate may be obtained by individuals who:
Hold a Texas Mathematics Specialist Certificate
(an Elementary Certificate with a specialization
in Mathematics does not satisfy this requirement)
AND complete a State Board for Educator Certification
(SBEC) – approved Master Mathematics Teacher
preparation program that focuses on developmental
Mathematics; Mathematics instruction at all levels,
especially for limited-English-proficient students
and those with dyslexia and related disorders;
as well as peer-mentoring techniques; OR
Hold a teaching certificate, have at least three
years of teaching experience, complete an SBEC-approved
Master Mathematics Teacher preparation program,
AND pass the Master Mathematics Teacher certification
test. |
| Section
2 - Preparing for the MMT Test: |
| 1. |
What is the Master Mathematics
Teacher test like? |
| |
The MMT test is criterion referenced.
It is designed to measure the knowledge and skills
delineated in the MMT test framework, which is
based on the MMT standards.
The MMT test is designed to measure the requisite
knowledge and skills that an initially certified
Texas Master Mathematics Teacher must possess.
This test includes multiple-choice items as
well as a case study assignment for which candidates
will construct a written response. |
| 2. |
Where and when is the MMT test
given? |
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The test is administered on the same
dates and in the same locations as the Examinations
for the Certification of Educators in Texas (ExCET)
and Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TexES).
A list of exact test dates, times, and locations
of MMT test administration is available on the
SBEC website at http://www.texes.ets.org/. |
| 3. |
How can I get a MMT Test Preparation
Manual? |
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You can download the MMT Test Preparation
Manual from the SBEC website http://www.sbec.state.tx.us/SBECOnline/mtp/MMT/MMT.asp or
obtain one from your MMT preparation program. |
| 4. |
Will there be a form of the MMT
Test that is released? |
| |
Yes. A form of the test will be released
for purchase to the MMT programs for use with MMT
candidates. |
| 5. |
On the MMT Test, is there a specific
amount of time allotted for the case study assignment? |
| |
No. The entire test must be completed
in the five-hour session. |
| Section
3 - Obtaining an MMT Certificate: |
| 1. |
Which students are targeted as
specific recipients of the benefits of the Master
Math Teacher program? |
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The Master Mathematics Teacher
Grant Program offers a $5000 stipend for each
MMT who teaches on a “high-need” campus.
MMTs are not required to teach on a campus designated
as "high-need,” but stipends provide
incentive for MMTs to use their skill to benefit
public school students in areas of greatest need.
A “high-need” campus is one that
meets criteria established by the Commissioner
of Education. These criteria are based on campus
performance on state mandated student assessment.
|
| 2. |
Can a person serve as an MMT on
a campus that has not been designated as a “high-need” campus? |
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Yes, however that person will not
be eligible for the state stipend. |
| 3. |
If I am a certified MMT, will
I automatically receive the $5000 stipend? |
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No. To receive the stipend, the certified
MMT must be employed on one of the “high-need” campuses
and be designated by the district as one of the
individuals to receive the stipend. |
| 4. |
How long will my MMT stipend last? |
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Currently, the period of the stipend
is three years from school year 2000/2001 to 2002/2003
and additional funding will be contingent upon
legislature appropriation. |
| 4. |
When will I receive my MMT stipend? |
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You will receive your stipend at
the end of the school year. |
| 5. |
If I don't complete my requirements
for MMT certification until the middle of the
school year, will I receive the stipend for the
entire school year? |
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No. You will receive the stipend
only for the portion of the school year during
which you were certified. |
| 6. |
Must my school district apply
to TEA so that I can receive my MMT stipend? |
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Yes. Your school district must submit
an application to TEA. |
| 7. |
How many hours a day must an MMT
teach? |
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Local districts will determine how
best to utilize the expertise of the MMT, as long
as the MMT serves as a teacher and as a Mathematics
mentor for other teachers. TEA and SBEC will produce
a document that provides models of how MMTs are
actually being used in Texas schools. |
| 8. |
Must I be already certified in
science to become a candidate for the MMT certificate? |
| |
No. You may be a certified teacher
in any field. You must also have at least three
years teaching experience, complete an approved
MMT preparation program, and pass the MMT Test. |
| 9. |
If I receive a Mathematics Specialist
certificate after I enroll in an MMT program
but before I take the MMT Test, do I still have
to take the MMT Test? |
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No. An individual who becomes fully
certified as a Mathematics specialist prior to
taking the MMT Test is not required to take the
MMT Test. |
| 10. |
Can I apply for the MMT certificate
as an out-of-state candidate or through certification
by examination? |
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No. Legislation requires that all
MMT certification candidates complete an approved
MMT preparation program. |
| 11. |
If I have an out-of-state Mathematics
Specialist certificate, am I required to take
the MMT Test in order to be certified as an MMT? |
| |
You must either pass the ExCET Mathematics
Specialist Test and obtain a Texas Mathematics
Specialist certificate, or pass the MMT Test. All
MMT candidates must also complete an approved MMT
preparation program. |
| 12. |
Is the MMT certificate for both
elementary and secondary teachers? |
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Yes. The MMT certificate is an all-level
certificate. |
| 13. |
How do I apply for the MMT certificate? |
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When you have completed the requirements
of your MMT program and have passed the MMT Test,
if necessary, your MMT program will recommend you
for certification and complete a form that must
be sent to SBEC along with a $75 check for the
certificate. If your program submits this form
within 60 days of the time that you are recommended
for certification, the effective date of your certificate
will be the date that you were recommended. This
is especially important if you are eligible to
receive an MMT stipend. |
| Section
4 - MMT Preparation Programs: |
| 1. |
Who is offering a Master Mathematics
Teacher preparation program? |
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All MMT preparation programs must
be approved by the SBEC. |
| 2. |
Are some MMT preparation programs
different from others? |
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Yes. All MMT preparation programs
must be based on the MMT standards, but each program
has latitude in how it is configured. Most of the
MMT preparation programs offer coursework that
is geared to the needs of the individual candidate.
Many programs include a practicum, some programs
lead to a master's degree, a few programs are partly
web-based, and other programs target teachers in
the district in which the program is offered. Potential
MMT candidates should contact the individual programs
for specific information. |
| 3. |
Is the MMT program a master's
degree program? |
| |
No. Having a master's degree is not
a requirement for obtaining an MMT certificate.
However, some MMT preparation programs permit their
MMT coursework to count toward a master's degree. |
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