Application

Eligibility and Admissions Policies

 

 

Minimum Eligibility

To apply for the Boston Teacher Residency 2008-2009 program, at minimum you must:

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree, or expect to hold one by the end of June 2008.
  • Be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident.

Admissions Policies

Please review these admissions policies before applying. For additional information about Boston Teacher Residency admissions process, review the Frequently Asked Questions sheet.

Nondiscrimination Policy

The Boston Teacher Residency does not discriminate with regard to race, color, origin, gender, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, or religion.

Reasonable Accommodations

BTR is committed to seeking qualified applicants with disabilities and can provide reasonable accommodations during the application process and time of service upon request.

Falsification or Misrepresentation

Falsification or misrepresentation of any sort on the application or supporting materials is grounds for dismissal.

Additional Information

Boston Teacher Residency may require additional information from applicants before determining whether to invite them to a final interview. Boston Teacher Residency reserves the right to collect information from applicants at a later date and use this information in admissions decisions.

Reapplication

Applicants may only apply to Boston Teacher Residency once during an admissions year but are welcome to reapply during subsequent admission years.

TOEFL Policy (for Admission to University of Massachusetts/Boston)

Applicants from countries where English is not the primary language are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). In addition, applicants who have a bachelors degree from a non-US country may need to take the TOEFL. The TOEFL will also be required of permanent resident immigrants who have not attended an English-speaking educational institution for at least two years full time. This requirement may be waived if the applicant has attended an English-speaking college or university in the United States for a period of at least two academic years full time.

A score of at least 550 (on the paper-based exam), or at least 213 (on the computer-based exam) is required. Information about the TOEFL may be obtained from the TOEFL Program, Box 899, Princeton, New Jersey, 08540, USA.

Criminal Records

The Boston Plan for Excellence as an agency defined under Chapter 385 of the Acts of 2002, An Act Further Protecting Children, M.G.L. c. 71, § 38R, is required to conduct criminal background checks on current and prospective employees, volunteers, school transportation providers, and others who may have direct and unmonitored contact with children. Criminal offender record information (CORI) must be obtained from the Criminal History Systems Board as part of your acceptance into the Boston Teacher Residency program and the following practices and procedures will generally be followed:

I. CORI checks will only be conducted as authorized by CHSB. All applicants will be notified that a CORI check will be conducted. If requested, the applicant will be provided with a copy of the CORI policy.

II. An informed review of a criminal record requires adequate training. Accordingly, all personnel authorized to review CORI in the decision-making process will be thoroughly familiar with the educational materials made available by CHSB.

III. Unless otherwise provided by law, a criminal record will not automatically disqualify an applicant. Rather, determinations of suitability based on CORI checks will be made consistent with this policy and any applicable law or regulations.

IV. If a criminal record is received from CHSB, the authorized individual will closely compare the record provided by CHSB with the information on the CORI request form and any other identifying information provided by the applicant, to ensure the record relates to the applicant.

V. If the Boston Plan for Excellence is included to make an adverse decision based on the results of the CORI check, the applicant will be notified immediately. The applicant shall be provided with a copy of the criminal record and the organization’s CORI policy, advised of the part(s) of the record that make the individual unsuitable for the position or license, and given an opportunity to dispute the accuracy and relevance of the CORI record.

VI. Applicants challenging the accuracy of the policy shall be provided a copy of CHSB’s Information Concerning the Process in Correcting a Criminal Record. If the CORI record does not exactly match the identification information provided by the applicant, the Boston Plan for Excellence will make a determination based on a comparison of the CORI record and documents provided by the applicant. The Boston Plan for Excellence may contact CHSB and request a detailed search consistent with CHSB policy.

VII. If the Boston Plan for Excellence reasonably believes the record belongs to the applicant and is accurate, based on the information as provided in section IV on this policy, then the determination of suitability for the position or license will be made. Unless otherwise provided by law, factors considered in determining suitability may include, but not be limited to the following:

a) Relevance of the crime to the position sought;

b) The nature of the work to be performed;

c) Time since the conviction;

d) Age of the candidate at the time of the offense;

e) Seriousness and specific circumstances of the offense;

f) The number of offenses;

g) Whether the applicant has pending charges;

h) Any relevant evidence of rehabilitation or lack thereof;

i) Any other relevant information, including information submitted by the candidate or requested by the hiring authority

VIII. Boston Plan for excellence will also review local and national sexual offender registry information (SORI) as part of your acceptance into the Boston Teacher Residency program. Similar practices and procedures to CORI checks will generally be followed.

IX. The Boston Plan for Excellence will notify the applicant of the decision and the basis of the decision in a timely manner.