About TEA
Calendar
| Preschool- Grade 3 | Grades 4-6 | Grades 7-8 | Grades 9-12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Options Available | Option must be in the specific content area |
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| Test | Praxis: elementary ed. content knowledge | Praxis: elementary ed. content knowledge | Praxis: middle grades content knowledge tests (four separate tests) | Praxis: secondary content knowledge |
| Praxis: middle grades content knowledge test (one broad-form test) | Praxis: content knowledge test in secondary subject area
|
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| National Board Certification | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| College Coursework | Yes | Yes | ||
| Professional Matrix | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Teacher Effect Data | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Highlights of the Rules Governing "Highly Qualified" Teacher Options
NOTE: For the most up-to-date, in-depth information about all of these options, check the State Department of Education's Web site: http://www.state.tn.us/education/nclb For additional pointers, check TEA's Web site: http://www.teateachers.org
Test
Teachers (except elementary-licensed 7th and 8th grade teachers) who were licensed in Tennessee after the state began requiring the National Teachers' Examination or Praxis II test meet the definition of "highly qualified" (HQ). The state department of education is sending school systems a list of such teachers.
Some teachers licensed before the state began requiring a test and some teachers initially licensed in another state may have passing scores on accepted tests. The earliest acceptable test for elementary teachers is the NTE Core Battery, with a passing score for those who took it before 1987 being 640 on communications skills and 637 on general knowledge.
Teachers in grades P-4 who have not passed an accepted test, but wish to take such a test now, should take Praxis test #0014. The passing score on this test is 140. Teachers in grades 5-6 may take test #0014 or test #146, middle grades: content knowledge (one broad test covering all content areas). Teachers in grades 7-8 may take either the secondary education test in their specific teaching area or one or more of the four middle grades content knowledge tests: #0049 for English language arts (passing score 145); #0439 for science (passing score 135); #0069 for math (passing score 143); #0089 for social studies (passing score 140). Teachers in grades 9-12 should take the secondary content knowledge test in their specific teaching area. Go to the Educational Testing Service's web site (www.ets.org) for info.
College Coursework
For teachers in grades 7-12, twenty-four semester hours of college coursework (undergraduate and graduate) in the specific teaching area (e.g. English, math, history, chemistry, etc.) is sufficient to demonstrate that a teacher is HQ in that area.
National Board Certification
Teachers who have been certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards are considered HQ as long as they are teaching within the scope of that certificate. At grades 7-12 the certificate must be in the specific teaching content area.
Teacher Effect Data*
Under Tennessee's Value-Added Assessment System, some teachers in grades 4-12 receive annual teacher effect reports, which compare the teacher's students' test scores to school district, state, and national norms. For HQ purposes, acceptable scores must be either not detectably different (NDD) from or above the state norm. In grades 4-6, scores in all subjects tested must be NDD or above the state norm for a teacher to demonstrate HQ status. In grades 7-12, scores in the specific subject area(s) that the teacher teaches must be NDD or above that norm. Most recent three-year average scores must be used.
Professional Matrix*
The professional matrix, an option available at all levels, allows teachers to demonstrate that they are HQ through various activities and accomplishments undertaken to improve their teaching skills and knowledge. Using the matrix, teachers may demonstrate that they are HQ by accumulating at least 100 points. For details, see the matrix, included in the state HQ plan (web address above) and its instructions.
* These options are available only to teachers who began teaching before the first day of the 2002-03 school year.
Special Groups of Teachers
Specific guidelines may apply to the groups of teachers listed below. Specific guidelines may be found in the state's HQ plan, found online at the web address above.
For more information, TEA members may contact the Association at 800.342.8367, ext. 310 or ext. 320.
