Definition of a “Highly Qualified” Elementary Teacher

“Not New” to the Profession (Status before July 1, 2002) Not New Multiple Subjects teachers are teachers who were granted an approved University/District Intern Credential (for less than three years), a Preliminary Credential, or Clear Credential by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing effective on or before June 30th, 2002. Full state certification excludes Individualized Intern certificates. Not New Multiple Subjects (Elementary) teachers may meet NCLB teacher compliance requirements by meeting one of the following options. Pass a Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) approved subject matter examination [i.e., MSAT]. Complete the High Objective Uniform State Standard of Evaluation (HOUSSE) process with a minimum of 100 points.

“New” to the Profession (Status on or after July 1, 2002) New Multiple Subjects teachers are teachers who are granted an approved University/District Intern Credential (for less than three years), a Preliminary Credential, or Clear Credential by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing effective after June 30th, 2002. Full state certification excludes Individualized Intern certificates. New Multiple Subjects (Elementary) teachers have only one option to meet NCLB teacher compliance requirements. Pass a Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) approved subject matter examination [i.e., CSET: MS]. Multiple Subjects candidates who enrolled in a California teacher preparation program on or before June 30, 2004, were allowed to meet state subject matter competency requirements by subject-matter waiver; however, those candidates will still need to meet federal NCLB teacher requirements by exam.

“Not New” to the Profession (Status before July 1, 2002) Not New Secondary (Departmentalized) teachers are teachers who were granted an approved University/District Intern Credential (for less than three years), a Preliminary Credential, or Clear Credential by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing effective on or before June 30th, 2002. Not New Secondary teachers may meet NCLB teacher compliance requirements by meeting one of the options below for each core academic subject taught. Pass a Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) approved subject matter examination [i.e., CSET] in the core academic subject. Obtain a Subject Matter Authorization from CTC in the core academic subject. Complete a university subject matter waiver program approved by the CTC in the core academic subject. Hold an undergraduate major in the core academic subject. Hold a graduate degree in the in the core academic subject. Complete a major equivalent (32 non-remedial semester units) in the core academic subject. Hold National Board Certification (NBC) in the core academic subject. Demonstrate subject matter competence via the High Objective Uniform State Standard of Evaluation (HOUSSE) process in the core academic subject. Complete Verification Process for Special Settings (VPSS) in the core academic subject.* * Available only for Teachers in Special Education or Alternative Educational Settings.

“New” to the Profession Status on or after July 1, 2002) New Secondary (Departmentalized) teachers are teachers who are granted an approved University/District Intern Credential (for less than three years), a Preliminary Credential, or Clear Credential by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing effective on or after July 1, 2002 New Secondary teachers may meet NCLB teacher compliance requirements by meeting one of the options below for each core academic subject taught. Pass a Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) approved subject matter examination [i.e., CSET] in the core academic subject. Obtain a Subject Matter Authorization from CTC in the core academic subject. Complete a university subject matter waiver program approved by the CTC in the core academic subject. Hold an undergraduate major in the core academic subject. Complete a major equivalent (32 non-remedial semester units) in the core academic subject. Complete Verification Process for Special Settings (VPSS) in the core academic subject.* * Available only for Teachers in Special Education or Alternative Educational Settings.