I got a letter from DCPS yesterday saying my child "has been taught for four (4) or more consecutive weeks, by a core subject area teacher
who has not met the 'highly qualified' definition." We've been in DCPS for many years and have never seen anything like this. Are these letters new this year? Is my child really being taught by an unlicensed teacher? She's new to the school but has been teaching in a PCS for many years. Do Charters allow unlicensed teachers?
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http://righttoknowhq.dcps.dc.gov/
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and Highly Qualified Teachers
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) requires school districts to notify parents or legal guardians when their child has been taught, for four (4) or more consecutive weeks, by a core subject area teacher who has not met the "highly qualified" definition.
According to NCLB, a "highly qualified" teacher:
has obtained a bachelor's degree or higher; and
has obtained full state certification—in the District of Columbia this means that the teacher has either a Provisional, Standard, Professional, Regular I, or Regular II license*; and
has demonstrated competency in the core subject(s) that he/she is teaching.
* It is possible to have a valid teaching license and still not meet "highly qualified" requirements. This is because there may be a teacher who is licensed to teach in the District of Columbia but is teaching outside of the subject area of his or her license.
District of Columbia Public Schools is working closely with all teachers to ensure that (1) they complete the steps necessary in order to meet the "highly qualified" definition, and (2) they receive support in providing high-quality classroom instruction.
To access information on the non-highly qualified status of your child’s teacher(s) enter your username and password below exactly as it appears in your letter. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school principal.