No Educator Left Behind is a series providing answers from the U.S. Department of Education to questions about the federal No Child Left Behind Act and how it will affect educators. If you have a question about No Child Left Behind, send an e-mail to Ellen Delisio, and we will submit your question to the Department of Education.

Question:

How do teachers meet the No Child Left Behind Act's new standards for teacher quality?

U.S. Department of Education:

The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act requires school districts to ensure that by 2005-2006 all students are taught by teachers who meet new federal standards in core subjects. Districts also must make information about teacher and paraprofessional qualifications available to parents and notify parents if their children are being taught by a teacher who does not meet these new federal standards.

The new federal standards are:

Teachers currently enrolled in state-approved alternative certification programs do meet the new federal standard.

Teachers who hold a Type 29 certificate and are not enrolled in a state-approved alternative certification program do not meet the new federal standard. However, they do meet the new standard if they pass the basic skills test and the subject-matter knowledge test appropriate to their grade and subject.

Additional guidance on requirements for special education teachers is expected soon from the Department of Education. Special education is considered a non-core subject until more information is provided.

Teachers will not be removed from their teaching position during the current school year if they do not meet NCLB qualifications. Teachers have until the end of the 2005-2006 school year to attain the credentials necessary to meet the new standards for their current positions.

Read previous questions and answers in our No Educator Left Behind archive.