Highly Qualified Teacher Options

Each state must develop a plan to ensure that all teachers -- not just Title I teachers -- teaching "core academic subjects" are highly qualified no later than the end of the 2005-06 school year. Each teacher who has received a letter from the State Superintendent of Education confirming “Highly Qualified” status for certain grade level(s) and subject(s) under any version of the Alabama Model for Identifying Highly Qualified Teachers is considered to be Highly Qualified for an assignment at those grade level(s) and subject(s).

Highly qualified means teachers must
      •be fully certified or licensed under state law, including approved alternative routes, and
      •be assigned to teach in a field in which they are fully certified and
      •demonstrate competency.

Current teachers can show competency with
      • an academic major in the area of assignment, or
      • passing a test in the subject area, or
      • demonstrating a high level of competence through a highly objective, uniform, statewide standard (HOUSSE)*.

Applications for obtaining HQ status using HOUSSE are no longer accepted except for new special education teachers* who teach multiple subjects. Other teachers without a major in the area of assignment will have to achieve or exceed the state’s minimum score on the Praxis II.

*Special education teachers, IF they are new to the profession AND are HQ in English language arts, mathematics, or science at the time of hire, may use the HOUSSE to demonstrate competence in additional subjects within two years after their initial hire date.

More information about the HOUSSE option is available at www.alsde.edu/html/NCLBHighlyQualifiedRevisions.asp. If you have additional questions about the HOUSSE option, contact Dr. Tyna Davis at 1-800-392-5839.