Moving up

Core content teachers in ECISD are almost all highly qualified so far this year, a big change compared to the previous school year.

According to last year's data, 12 teachers at this time were not considered highly qualified per the No Child Left Behind legislation. This year, only two teachers fail to meet the criteria and both are on staff because of resignations after the school year started.

"All districts wish to be at 100 percent highly qualified, but those vacancies cost us a few percentage points," assistant superintendent for human resources Gilbert Vasquez said.

The two resignations occurred at the secondary level in language arts and chemistry, leaving the district's elementary schools still 100 percent highly qualified. The No Child Left Behind law requires 100 percent HQ status. Districts failing to meet that regulation may receive extra oversight and some Title II funding to assist with meeting the standard.

Human resources directors and staff work closely with the district's federal and state programs department to ensure compliance and keep updated on the complex requirements for different content areas determining whether a person is qualified for a position.

Elementary HR director Bruce Almond said they have to check to make sure a person has graduated from college and is certified to teach their subject, normally through college education programs and state certification tests. Almond said for the elementary level, he looked at the certificates of 901 teachers to match their qualifications with specific teaching fields.

According to the Association of Texas Professional Educators, teachers are highly qualified if they have at least a bachelor's degree, are certified and demonstrate competency in their subject area through examinations. Paraprofessionals who assist students in low-income Title I schools must be highly qualified as well through at least two years of college and training in education.

The district will report again at the end of the year if they are in full compliance with the highly qualified requirement.

HIGHLY QUALIFIED SUBJECTS

Teachers must be highly qualified in the following subject areas:

>> English/Reading.

>> Math.

>> Science.

>> Foreign languages.

>> Civics and government.

>> Economics.

>> The arts.

>> History.

>> Geography.