Frequently Asked Questions: Teachers

Q: Do I have to be “highly qualified” to teach?
A:  All public school teachers who teach “core” academic subjects must be “highly qualified” under No Child Left Behind. This includes elementary, middle and secondary teachers.

Q: What is a “core” academic subject?
A: The U. S. Department of Education has defined a “core” subject as: English, Reading or Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Foreign Languages, Civics, Government, Economics, Arts, History, Geography. The Alaska Department of Early Education has added Speech Communication and Social Studies to the “core” and defined Arts to include Music, Theatre and Art.

Q: What does it mean to be “highly qualified”?
A: No Child Left Behind states for a teacher to be “highly qualified” they must be fully certified with no waivers or emergency certification, have a bachelor's degree and have demonstrated subject matter competency in each of the “core” academic subjects they teach.

Q: When do I have to be “highly qualified”?
A: All teachers must be “highly qualified” by June 30, 2006.

Q: How do I demonstrate subject matter competency?
A: For elementary teachers (K-6):

• they must pass ONE of three Praxis II exams OR
• do the HOUSE

     For Middle School & High School Teachers (7-12):

• They must be “highly qualified” in EACH core subject area they teach
• Need a degree or advanced degree in that core subject area OR
• College major in the core subject area OR
• Major equivalent in the core subject (not yet fully defined by the state but looks like it will be 30 semester hours… this will be dependent on Alaska State School Board decision) OR
• Passing score on the Praxis II OR
• Do the HOUSE OR
• National Board Certification in the core subject area

Q: What is the HOUSE?
A: HOUSE stands for Highly Objective Uniform Standard of Evaluation. The Alaska State Dept. of Education is required to create an alternative format for becoming “highly qualified”. The Alaska State School Board has not yet decided what this will be or how it is to be administered.  It is hoped HOUSE will be addressed during the December 2003 Board meeting.  If so, it will go out for public comment and may not be official until March or April 2004.  As soon as that information is available, it will be posted on this website.