ACTT: Your Path from Community Member to Classroom Teacher

The Accelerated Community to Teacher (ACTT) program was created by Boston Public Schools to help the people who already work in our schools become the teachers our students need. If you were a paraprofessional, substitute teacher, or other BPS employee with a bachelor's degree and a passion for teaching, ACTT offered a direct, no-cost route to a Massachusetts Provisional Teaching License.

Program Highlights

• No cost to participants. BPS covered tuition, materials, and MTEL exam fees. Financial barriers were removed so candidates could focus on learning and preparation.
• MTEL exam support. Targeted preparation for the Communication & Literacy Skills test and subject-specific content exams, including small-group coaching, practice tests, and study groups.
• Dedicated mentoring. Every participant was paired with an experienced BPS educator who provided classroom observation, lesson planning guidance, and ongoing professional support throughout the program.
• Cohort model. Participants moved through the program together, building a peer network that provided encouragement, accountability, and collaboration.
• Classroom practicum. Hands-on teaching experience in BPS schools, often in the same buildings where participants already worked, fulfilling DESE requirements for provisional licensure.
• Bilingual pathway available. The BE-ACTT track, launched in SY2021–22, was designed specifically for bilingual paraprofessionals seeking licensure in dual-language, transitional bilingual, or sheltered English immersion settings.

Who Was Eligible

ACTT was open to current Boston Public Schools employees who held a bachelor's degree and were committed to teaching in BPS upon completion. Priority was given to paraprofessionals and substitute teachers who had demonstrated strong relationships with students and school communities. Career-changers already employed by the district in non-instructional roles were also encouraged to apply.

Why ACTT Matters

Boston's students deserve teachers who understand their experiences, speak their languages, and come from their neighborhoods. Research consistently shows that teacher diversity improves outcomes for all students, and has an especially significant impact for students of color. ACTT was built on the belief that some of the best future teachers were already in our schools — they just needed a supported pathway to the credential.

The program was administered by the Office of Recruitment, Cultivation & Diversity Programs (RCD) within BPS Human Capital. Cohorts typically began in the summer, with sessions continuing through the academic year. Graduates earned a Provisional license and were supported in securing teaching positions within the district.

Application Information

Applications for ACTT cohorts were accepted on a rolling basis, with recruitment intensifying in the spring for summer-start cohorts. The application process included a written statement of interest, supervisor recommendation, and verification of current BPS employment and educational credentials. Candidates were encouraged to begin MTEL preparation early, as passing scores on required exams were part of the licensure timeline.