Highly Qualified Teachers:

 No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requires states to have a plan for all teachers in core academic subject areas to become “highly qualified” by the end of the 2005-2006 school year.  However, teachers hired after the first day of instruction of School Year 2002-2003 who teach core academic subjects in a Title I, Part A program must be “highly qualified” when hired. Except as indicated for charter schools below, to be “highly qualified” under BCLB, a teacher must have the following:

• At least a Bachelor’s degree; and
• Full state certification; and
• Demonstrate competency in the core academic subject area assigned.

Certification for Charter Schools:
 In Texas, state law does not require a teacher employed by an open enrollment charter school to be certified unless the teacher is assigned to teach in special education or bilingual education programs, in which case the appropriate state certification is required.  The minimum qualification under state law for a teacher at charter school, other than a special education for bilingual education teacher, is a high school diploma.  However, the governing body of a charter holder may set qualifications for teacher at a standard above what state law requires.   For instance, BMI requires teachers to have a college degree or to be certified.
     In order for a charter school teacher to be considered “highly qualified” under NCLB, the teacher must meet the state certification requirements as they apply to charter schools, as well as the NCLB requirements related to the bachelor’s degree and the demonstration of competency as teachers in regular public schools.