Q: I have taken and passed the the NTE Praxis exams in the early 1990's including those for history and math but I can find no record of the scores. A Praxis representative said old records are destroyed after a few years. The tests were required for licensing at the time and I was given an apprentice license based on those tests. Is there any way I can either find the scores somewhere else or use the fact that I was given my initial license based on those scores as a basis for being considered "highly qualified?"
A: Have you looked on the website: www.k-12.state.tn.us/tcertinf/? If you took a test that qualifies for Highly Qualified and is listed in the State Plan pages 10-11, and you took it in the early 1990's it should appear in your information on that website. Let me know.
Q: Would the following courses count as college coursework toward this subject area? History and Philosophy of Education Fundamentals of Military Organization; Military Leadership Development Techniques; History of the U.S. Army 1775-1865; History of the U.S. Army 1865-Present; The Art of War Basic Officer Skill
A: Please refer to the Highly Qualified Plan, January 14, 2004 update. Page 15 explains in detail the course work that can be used for Highly Qualified.
Q: My TVAAS scores I just received only showed the last 2 years. I need a report showing the last 3 years. The report I received last year show 3 year avg. How do I go about getting a report that shows the last 3 consecutive years....2001, 2002, and 2003? We have a deadline of March 19th to get this information in. I would like to know whether o not I can use my scores.
A: Please read pages 5-6 in the Highly Qualified Plan. If that does not answer your questions e-mail again and give more information about the subject and grade span. If you are teaching grades 4-8 your most current TVASS report would be a three year average; if you teach at the high school level the teacher effect reports are single year reports, so three consecutive single reports are required.
Q: I teach special education. What do I need to turn in to my principal by March 19?
A: Special Education teachers will need to wait until we have more information about what will be required for them to show Highly Qualified. The IDEA is still in the process of being reauthorizated. You need not turn in anything by March 19th.
Q: I have been a teacher in the Maury Count public school system for 15 years. I graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in August of 1988. Either in 1987 or 1988, I was required to take the NTE (National Teacher's Exam). At the time, we were told to have scores sent to the state, our local county board of education, and to keep one for ourselves. I had my 3 copies sent to these 3 places. Unfortunately, I can not locate my personal copy and evidently the state does not have my scores. (They are not posted on the certification page.) What or whom should I contact in order to find a record of these scores? Should M.T.S.U. have a record of this on my transcript? I would appreciate any help that you could give me.
A: It is my understanding that some teachers have contacted MTSU and received a copy of the scores or it had been recorded on their transcript. I would suggest you contact MTSU. I checked your record here at the Central Office but there is no copy in your file. Remember, you do not have to rely on the NTE scores, you can easily earn a 100 points on the matriz or wait until next year and be evaluated with the new Framework for Evaluation and Professional Growth or if you teach in grades 4 and 5 use your Teacher Effect Data.
Q: Does the Maury County Board of Education have a copy of my NTE scores? If so who do I need to contact in order to get them? If they do not have a copy, is there somewhere I can get them, without having to pay the $30 fee to Praxis to get them?
A: You should have received a copy of your scores 4 to 6 weeks after you took the tests. Those scores do not come to the Central Office. Have you checked the website to see if the scores have been listed? The website is www.k-12.state.tn.us/tcertinf/
Q: When the coursework equivalent option is considered by our system (I understand it is not considered yet), would a computer science course(e.g. Flowcharting or BASIC programming) count toward Math competency? From the handout we received this week, I assume that an education listed course in methods of teaching math would count. Is that correct?
A: Technology coursework that is specifically related to integration of technology into the instructional curriculum may be counted. This may include courses that focus on curricular uses of technology, problem-based learning with technology tools, etc. Teachers may not count courses related to use of the internet, office software, communication tools, programming or network design tools, etc.
Q: I currently teach first grade. I have located my scores from the NTE that I took in November 1981. Brenda Hammond had mentioned to our faculty that we should be able to use these scores if we could find them. My question is: 1)Has anything been done to correlate these scores to become highly qualified and 2)to whom should I send a copy of my scores? I thank you in advance for any information you can pass along to me concerning my question.
A: A January 14, 2004, update of Tennessee's Highly Qualified Plan can be found at http://www.state.tn.us/education/mnclb.htm. Look on pages 10-13 to find the test code for the NTE you found; if it matches the code for a test on those pages for elementary you can use it. In your case, use the earliest score given. On page 24 you will find the Teacher Quality Assurance Page that must be filled out with the accompanying documentation. If your scores are on your transcript or the letter, I think either one would do.
Q: Endorsement code 086, K-8 Guidance, is an area I am qualified in, but
through +30 (+45) and not a graduate degree. Can this be considered
highly qualified? Is this a coursework equivalent? Also, is 482, K-12 Administration, considered highly qualified if it was also a +30 endorsement? If I don't have to qualify at present in administration, when will that probably occur? If I want to be considered highly qualified in 086, but I am not currently in guidance, would I include that area on the Teacher Quality Assurance Page? I am in a unique situation as I am half time administrator and half time teacher. In filling out the Teacher Quality Assurance Page, I have gotten a little panicky.
A: Please do not panic, let me do that! Remember that only core curriculum teachers have to be “Highly Qualified”. Core subjects are English, reading or language arts, math, science (biology, chemistry, earth science, physics and physical science), foreign languages (French, German, Latin, and Spanish), civics and government, economics, arts (visual arts and music), history, and geography. Administrators are not referred to in the law as far as I know. If you are a half-time teacher in secondary, then you have to be Highly Qualified in the subject you are teaching. (Refer to the Highly Qualified Plan on the options available to show proof of Highly Qualified). If your half-time assignment is elementary K-6, then you meet the requirement for elementary. See the plan
Q: Where can you get a copy of this form on the internet?
A: Your principal has copy of the Matrix in the Tennessee Highly Qualified Plan. You should have a copy of the August Highly Qualified Plan I gave each teacher when I did the presentation in your school. You can also download the January 12, 2004 update of the Highly Qualified Plan at the following website: http://www.state.tn.us/education/mnclb.htm
Q: Have there been any guidelines set regarding Highly Qualified status for Speech/Language therapists?
A: Only teachers who teach core academic subjects must meet the Highly Qualified requirement under NCLB.
Q: I am currently a librarian at a K-12 school. I have my certification in this area and I am not working on a waiver. Am I required to become "highly qualified"? Thanks for your time.
A: Librarians do not have to meet the Highly Qualified under NCLB, it is only teachers who teach core academic subjects.