What is HIGHLY QUALIFIED in your state? (degree, background, Praxis)

[zthatzmanz28]

I have read a lot about what makes one highly qualified and obviously it is different in every state.

In Michigan, as a certified license SpEd teacher (K-12) I had to pass the MTTC test #53 GENERAL ELEMENTARY (k-5) to be considered HIGHLY QUALIFIED to teach high school resource. Dispite having passed the PRAXIS II (it was given in MI in 1993) in SpEd content area emotionl impairment and Language Arts (7-12) as well as having 60 credit hours in SpEd and having completed TWO student teaching gigs.

When I came to NC, highly qualified status followed and was accepted in my county.

[nana053]

Texas standards for highly qualified teachers

Texas Education Agency - Highly Qualified Teachers

“Highly Qualified” means that the teacher:
Has obtained full Texas teacher certification, including appropriate special education certification for special education teachers;
Holds a minimum of a bachelor’s degree; and
Has demonstrated subject matter competency in each of the academic subjects in which the teacher teaches.
The requirement that all teachers be highly qualified applies to all public elementary or secondary school teachers employed by a local educational agency who teach a core academic subject area.

More at the website for specific ways to meet the competency in the academic subjects.

[Ivorytickler]

I'm in Michigan and have single subject certs which means I had to major or minor in each of my subect areas and pass the basic skills test a subject matter test in each area. I have a dual major in chemsitry and math and a minor in phyics and took four exams for my three certs.

There is also a general science cert where you have no major or minor. If I were to get this cert, I'd need 12 credits in physical science, 12 in earth science and 12 in life science and then to take the general science (DI exam). After which I'd be certified to teach all science in grades 6-12. My experience is that this is the preferred certification to teach high school science because of it's flexibility.

[golfgal]

In MN all teachers that are licensed in our state meet the federal definition of "highly qualified" and have long before NCLB. In MN to be licensed you have to have a degree in a subject area, for elementary that is a degree in elementary eduction, for middle and high school you have to have a degree in your subject area (English, Social Science, etc.) you also have to have at least a minor in secondary education and pass the state licensing tests. Part of your minor is at least 13 weeks of a student teaching experience but most do 18 weeks. There is a program where someone with a degree but not teaching background can get a job under the emergency placement plan but have to complete the education aspect of their degree within 2 years. You generally see this in rural areas for science and math.

[tgbwc]

I'll have to look up what qualifies a teacher as being highly qualified in Virginia.

I did find what paraprofessionals need to have if working in Title 1 schools:

Paraprofessionals providing instructional support in programs supported with Title I, Part A funds also must meet federal highly qualified standards.
All Title I paraprofessionals must have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent. Additionally, paraprofessionals have the following three options to meet the designation of highly qualified:

• Complete two years of study at an institution of higher education; or
• Obtain an associate’s (or higher) degree; or
• Meet a rigorous standard of quality and be able to demonstrate, through a formal state or local academic assessment, knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing, and mathematics (or, as appropriate, reading readiness, writing, readiness, and mathematics readiness).

[sidrah]

For me specifically as a HS sped teacher with and ED/BD self-contained room:

K-12 cross sped categorical certification
Highly qualified in secondary ed.
HQ in secondary Math
HQ in secondary English