FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
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John L. Winn
Commissioner of Education
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
DONNA G. CALLAWAY
JULIA L. JOHNSON
R
OBERTO MARTÍNEZ
P
HOEBE RAULERSON
Contact:
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L
INDA K. TAYLOR
Beverly Gregory
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850/245-0431
Beverly.gregory@fldoe.org
MEMORANDUM
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K-12: 2005-36
TO:
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District School Superintendents
District Certification Contact Persons
Directors of Personnel
FROM:
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Pamela Stewart
DATE:
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March 31, 2005
SUBJECT:
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No Child Left Behind HOUSSE Option for Experienced Exchange Teachers
In support of the Department’s Strategic Imperative #1, to increase the supply of highly effective
teachers, the Department is continuing to review the requirements and the flexibility options of
the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act to ensure that each of Florida’s classrooms has a highly
qualified teacher. Guidance documents from the USDE have provided information relating to
the inclusion of international exchange teachers into the pool of highly qualified teachers.
Immigration regulations require that exchange teachers have teaching experience in the native
country as one of the criteria for issuance of an appropriate visa. Therefore, exchange teachers
would be eligible for the High, Objective, Uniform, State Standard of Evaluation (HOUSSE)
option to meet the NCLB designation for highly qualified status.
The Florida Exchange Certificate does not show a certification subject area; thus, it will be
necessary to complete a HOUSSE form for each core academic subject area taught by the
exchange teacher. Because the verification of the components for highly qualified status are
unique for an exchange teacher, attached is a newly developed model for a HOUSSE
verification form that school districts are to use to establish a highly qualified status for an
experienced exchange teacher.
If you have questions or need additional information, please refer to the contact information
above.
PAMELA STEWART
DEPUTY CHANCELLOR EDUCATOR QUALITY
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0420 • www.fldoe.org