Download: Complete Bulletin. PDF file.

The State Education Department (SED) has recently released NCLB NYS Field Memo #01-2006 titled "Clarification of Deadlines for Meeting NCLB Requirements for Teachers and Title I Paraprofessionals." While NYSUT has worked to ensure that Title I Paraprofessionals certified as teaching assistants in New York State are "qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), there is concern that that some school districts have not appropriately addressed the requirements for "highly qualified" teachers.

NCLB requires virtually all public school teachers of core academic subjects to meet the NCLB definition of "highly qualified" by June 30, 2006, the end of the 2005-06 school year. Last year there were rumors that a one-year extension would be provided for states to meet this requirement. That is not the case. While the US Department of Education (USDOE) has indicated a willingness to provide some flexibility to states regarding the deadline, they have also indicated that a good faith effort would be necessary to receive that consideration. Since there is no assurance of any flexibility by the USDOE at this time, local leaders should work with their district to verify that teachers are "highly qualified" as soon as possible.

This Information Bulletin details how a teacher can establish "highly qualified" status. While many teachers will be able to be deemed "highly qualified," easily, as a result of the NYS teacher certification requirements, there may be some teachers who will need to meet alternative criteria. One alternative for demonstrating subject matter competency is the completion of the "High Objective Uniform State Standard of Evaluation" (HOUSSE) form. Teachers who need the HOUSSE to establish "highly qualified" status should complete the form as soon as possible and retain a copy. SED has indicated that once a teacher is "highly qualified" the teacher remains highly qualified regardless of subsequent changes to the HOUSSE requirement.

The contents of this Information Bulletin include:

• an overview of those teachers affected;

• the deadlines for meeting the NCLB "highly qualified" requirement;

• definitions of "highly qualified" teachers;

• using the HOUSSE;

• ddvice to local leaders; and

• SED NCLB NYS Field Memo #01-2006.

Download: Complete Bulletin. PDF file.