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The next step in “no child left behind”: Enhanced teacher standards

By PATRICK STAFFORD
Guest Columnist

A well-known component of the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is assessments. Beginning this year, students must be tested annually in grades 3-8 and once in high school. By 2007-08, state science standards must be in place and students are to be tested once in elementary school, middle school and high school.

Another component is accountability. States are required to develop measurements of "adequate yearly progress" toward achieving educational goals.

A final component that is not being discussed much pertains to qualifications for teachers and paraprofessionals. The Act creates standards for defining "highly qualified" teachers in all core academic subject areas and paraprofessionals working in specific programs, and requires states to develop plans for ensuring that teachers meet these standards by the end of the 2005-06 school year.

That's right. By the end of the acdemic year that begins before Labor Day of 2005, all teachers of core academic subjects must meet the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) definition of highly qualified. That is: teachers must have at least a bachelor's degree; have current state certification (including alternative certification); and be able to demonstrate subject-matter competency in each of the core academic subjects they teach. Teachers who are using temporary credentials or emergency permits, as authorized by state law, for the most part, do not meet the NCLB definition of highly qualified. The certification provision does not apply to charter schools.

Therefore, if your child or grandchild is in a classroom after next year learning english, reading/language arts, mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history and geography - the core academic subjects - he or she must have a teacher that is defined as "highly qualified" by the NCLB standard.

There also are new NCLB requirements for "paraprofessionals" who work in certain programs and provide instructional support. Paraprofessionals must have at least two years of post-secondary education or be able to demonstate necessary skills on a state or local academic assessment.

While the individual assessments and school accountability discussions often get the bulk of the debate regarding the NCLB standards, the enhanced standards for teachers and paraprofessionals in the core academic subjects will certainly have a "rubber meets the road" impact toward giving the students in each of our schools a better chance to achieve academic success and to make their own steps toward "adequate yearly progress."