December 3, 2003

Alaska State School Board met this week and DEED has proposed cut scores for the Praxis II exams.  The proposed scores are one standard deviation below the national mean.  The State School Board will not adopt the cut scores until March but in light of the discussion by the members of the board I suspect we will see some changes.  The proposed cut scores are on the NEA-Alaska website (www.neaalaska.org) for folks to see.

As we anticipated the state has proposed “major equivalency” to be 30 semester hours or the equivalent.  An example of equivalency would be 45 quarter hours would equal 30 semester hours.  We suspect equivalency will be further defined by the state before these regulations are finalized.

National Board Certification has been included in the proposed Alaska regulations.  For elementary teachers there are two NBC certifications that are being proposed. The K-3 is the Early Childhood Generalist or for 3-6 Middle Childhood Generalist would make the teacher “highly qualified.” For middle and high school teachers they will have to be Nationally Board Certified in their core content area to be considered “highly qualified”.

There was some discussion on HOUSSE.  We understand that the HOUSSE will take the format of a rubric or matrix. Within this framework teachers will earn points for their years of experience, training and coursework, presentations they have given, committee work, awards received, etc.  It is our understanding that the Commissioner will bring the HOUSSE forward at the January meeting and they hope to have it in regulation by March.

The proposed regulations and cut scores should be available on the DEED website (www.eed.state.ak.us) within the next few weeks and available for public comment. The basics of the teacher regulations are on our website (www.neaalaska.org). 

For those paraprofessionals who are going to use the HELP exam as the route to become “highly qualified”, there is an additional component that is in the format of an evaluation checklist.  As soon as I have the finalized format I will post that on this website. 

I have had multiple meetings with UAA regarding classes for test preparation for both the Praxis II and the HELP exams.  It appears that the HELP class that we sponsored during Fall Event 2003 will be available to other districts and sites across the state.  A Praxis II “study group” class is being finalized and it should also be available for members.  Conversations are continuing regarding distance learning opportunities for folks to pick up needed credits. When that is in the final stages I will share that information with you. 

In order for me to assist members in various parts of the state I do need feedback.  I have chatted with several districts who have been adopting the “wait and see” policy.  If you are in such a district would you please let your Uniserv Director know so we can assist you.

On the national scene there are still large discussions centering around limited English proficient and students with disabilities issues.  Most comments acknowledge the problems but solutions do not appear to be forthcoming. 

The reauthorization of IDEA is still in the U.S. Congress and from all indications it does not appear they will be acting on this until after the 2004 elections.  We will let you know when we have any new information.

Have a safe and restful holiday season.
         Sherry Girard