President Bush signed the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), which amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, into law on January 8, 2002. The law was designed to improve student achievement and change the culture of schools. NCLB is built on four ideals: accountability for results, use of proven methods based in scientific research, expanded parental options, and expanded local control and flexibility.

A significant provision of NCLB requires that all K-12 teachers of the core content areas must demonstrate that they are ?highly qualified? by the close of the 2005-06 school year. The law identifies the core content areas as English/language arts, mathematics, science, geography, civics, government, economics, foreign language and the arts (music, theatre, dance and visual arts). Teachers of English language learners, special education teachers and public school teachers in programs for neglected and delinquent students who provide core content instruction must also demonstrate that they meet the ?highly qualified? standard. It is recommended, but not required, that long-term substitute teachers also be ?highly qualified?.

 

Important Highly Qualified Teacher Announcement    HOUSSE memo

Highly Qualified FAQs - April 2007