The requirement that teachers be highly qualified applies to any public elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher. The Louisiana Department of Education (LDE) is the state agency/entity responsible for prescribing qualifications and providing for the certification of teachers under authority of (R.S. 17:7.1).
The Louisiana Department of Education is collaborating with the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Board of Regents on State activities under No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001 related to “highly qualified teachers.”
Timeline
All teachers new to the profession hired on or after the first day of the 2002-2003 school year to work in programs supported by Title I funds and who teach core academic subjects must be highly qualified. All “not new” or veteran teachers of core academic subjects must meet highly qualified status by the end of the 2005-2006 school year.
Certification Structure
To best serve Louisiana school district employment needs, Louisiana’s certification system features overlapping of at least two grade levels for Early Childhood (PK-3) and Elementary (1-6); of Elementary (1-6) and Middle School (4-8); and of Middle School (4-8) and Secondary (7-12).
All-Level Areas
A teacher employed full-time in an elementary, middle, or secondary school to teach art, dance, foreign language(s), health and physical education, and music must hold a certificate in that “all-level” discipline that spans grades K-12. NOTE: Foreign language certification is also available as a secondary certification area (grades 7-12 only) or through a Foreign Language Special Certificate authorizing the holder to teach a language in grades K-8 only.
Social Studies
Louisiana uses a broad certification area for Social Studies, encompassing the discrete areas of history (world, U.S., Louisiana), civics/government, economics, and geography (cultural and physical).
Statutory Requirements For Certification
To obtain initial Louisiana certification, one must hold at least a baccalaureate degree, have earned a minimum grade point average of a cumulative 2.50, and have demonstrated subject knowledge and teaching skills in the certification area by passing rigorous NTE/Praxis exams required in Louisiana.
Academic Major
In the State of Louisiana, for the purpose of NCLB, teachers who completed an academic content major are highly qualified in that content area.
Advanced Certification
For the purpose of NCLB, Advanced Certification is defined as having a Master’s degree or higher degree in the content area. Teachers qualifying as highly qualified under this option must meet all applicable State laws.
Advanced Credentialing
Advanced Credentialing has been defined as successful completion of a rigorous credentialing process that is based on a high objective uniform standard. The National Board of Professional Teaching Standards uses a process for certifying its candidates that meets this standard. Hence, we propose that National Board Certified Teachers be recognized as “highly qualified teachers.”
Applicability
The requirement that “all” teachers be highly qualified applies to ``all public elementary and secondary school teachers'' assigned to core academic subjects. Special education teachers, including teachers who teach students identified as “academically gifted” who are providing instruction in core academic subjects must meet the “highly qualified” requirements of the ESEA. Exceptions: This document may not refer to teachers of content in physical education, health education, career and technical education, agriculture, industrial arts, and driver education.
Core Academic Subjects
Core academic subjects have been defined in the mandate as English, reading or language arts, mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history, and geography.
Highly Qualified
State of Louisiana Highly Qualified Teacher Requirements