MTEL Early Childhood case studies

MTEL Early Childhood · Put your knowledge to work in context.

The MTEL Early Childhood credential is one of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure subject-matter tests used in the state's educator licensure process for teachers of young children. The original Early Childhood (02) test has retired, and registration is open for the redeveloped test, listed in the MTEL test list as Early Childhood (72), with testing starting February 6, 2023. The MTEL Early Childhood case studies are 5 cases and about 3,608 words.

Persistent Transition Distress and Communication Concerns in a 4-Year-Old

In a Massachusetts inclusive pre-K classroom of 18 children (ages 3 years 8 months to 5 years 1 month), one lead teacher and one paraprofessional share a 6-hour day. Deshawn, age 4 years 4 months, has attended for nine weeks.

815 words, about 4 min 2

Using Running Records to Choose Decoding Versus Comprehension Focus

A kindergarten teacher has 22 students and a 90-minute literacy block that includes a 15-minute guided reading group with each of four groups. She has just completed running records on a Level C patterned text, “I see a horse,” for two children.

709 words, about 4 min 3

Diagnosing Counting Principles in Pre-K Small Groups

In a pre-K classroom, 16 children rotate through 10-minute math groups. The teacher observes Nia (4 years 9 months) count eight plastic bears correctly, “1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,” but when asked “How many bears?” she recounts and says, “Nine.” Omar (5 years 1 month) counts to 12 but skips 7 and 9; when asked to hand the teacher five blocks, he pushes a pile of about eight toward her and says, “Here.” The teacher has a five- and ten-frame, dot cards, number cards to 10, small counters, and a required end-of-year math checklist that includes rote counting to 20, one-to-one correspondence to 10, and cardinality to 10.

687 words, about 3 min 4

Keeping Ramp Inquiry Safe and Inclusive in Kindergarten

A kindergarten class of 20 children has a 30-minute science block twice a week. The teacher provides cardboard tubes, wooden blocks, tape, six toy cars, and clipboards.

683 words, about 3 min 5

Responding to a Religious Exclusion Request and a Severe Allergy in the Same Class

A pre-K classroom serves 19 families in a culturally diverse community. The teacher has planned a “Winter Celebration” in two weeks: a Santa craft, candy-cane counting, and a family potluck.

714 words, about 4 min