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National Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center for the Education of Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At-RiskBackground | Who's Affected | Funding Opportunities | Flexibility
Who’s Affected and How
Under the High Quality Teacher (HQT) provisions, No Child Left Behind (NCLB) stipulates that new, experienced, and specialized teachers must follow certain requirements. NDTAC has summarized these below.
New Teachers in Public Schools
All newly hired middle school and high school teachers must demonstrate their subject competency by taking State-developed tests in each subject they teach or by meeting college requirements (i.e., major or equivalent coursework, advanced certification/credentialing, or graduate degree). All newly hired teachers in Title I programs or schools must be highly qualified also. Elementary school teachers who are new to the field must show competency by passing State exams that test subject knowledge and teaching skills in language arts, writing, math, and all other areas of the basic elementary school curriculum.
Experienced Teachers in Public Schools
Just like new teachers, teachers with experience must hold a bachelor’s degree and have full State certification, but the method by which they demonstrate subject competency can vary. Experienced teachers can meet the same mandates as new teachers for this last requirement (subject matter tests) or they can opt to go through a State-developed High, Objective, Uniform State Standard of Evaluation (HOUSSE). HOUSSE is different for every State; in general, current teachers can prove they are highly qualified through a combination of proven teaching experience, professional development, and knowledge in the subject attained over time by working in the field.
Specialized Teachers
Special education teachers and teachers of English language learners must be highly qualified if they teach core academic subjects to their students. Charter school teachers must meet all three of the HQT requirements in order to be highly qualified, unless State charter school laws hold that certification is not required for charter school teachers.