Florida Department of Education
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Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services
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Highly Qualified Exceptional Student Education Teachers
Questions and Answers
Exceptional student education (ESE) teachers who deliver direct instruction to students with
disabilities in core academic subject areas as defined by No Child Left Behind (NCLB) must meet
the appropriate state special education certification requirements for the grade level and
exceptionality of the students being taught, in addition to meeting the same standard for subject
matter competency to be highly qualified (HQ). These requirements apply whether the direct core
academic instruction is provided in a self-contained classroom, a resource room, or any other
setting.
The Florida Department of Education (DOE) is providing the following questions and answers to
assist school district personnel in implementing the DOE September 16, 2004, and December 8,
2005, memorandums regarding highly qualified requirements for ESE teachers.
ESE teachers should work through their principals, ESE directors, and district personnel offices to
determine their HQ status. The highly qualified teacher (HQT) determination is complex and is
based on the specific courses taught, the level of instruction of the ESE students, and the individual
teacher’s background and teaching experiences.
Definitions
A
highly qualified teacher (HQT)
m
eets NCLB requirements for the HQT designation,
with:
1.
An acceptable bachelor’s or higher degree,
2.
State licensure/certification (no requirements waived), and
3.
Demonstration of subject competency for the subject(s) and grade level(s) taught.
The
highly qualified (HQ)
designation is triggered by specific core academic courses listed in the
Florida Course Code Directory (CCD). Additionally, HQ is defined by the level of instruction
provided for the ESE students in some ESE courses.
For purposes of completing a HOUSSE plan, a
new teacher
has less than one full school year of
teaching experience. The definition is not tied to a specific year of employment, i.e. 2002-2003.
For purposes of completing a HOUSSE plan, an
experienced teacher
has at least one school year
or more of full-time teaching experience. The experience does not have to be in Florida.
Core academic subjects
are English, reading, language arts, mathematics, science, foreign
languages (other than English), civics, government, economics, arts, history, and geography.
FLDOE has defined “arts” as music, art, and drama in regards to core academic subjects.
The
teacher of record
is the teacher who provides primary instruction and gives the grades.
The
level of instruction
is based on the grade level content that is provided, not the reading or
math level of the student.
PreK HQT
1.
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Are there changes to the previously released technical assistance paper (TAP) FY
2004-8,
“Highly Qualified Teacher Requirements for Special Program Under the No
Child Left Behind Act,”
regarding the questions related to preschool children?
Yes. Subsequent to the publication of this TAP, the U.S. Department of Education released
further clarification related to preschool teachers working in Title I preschool programs.
Based on this clarification, the answers included in that TAP are no longer applicable.
2.
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Do the requirements related to HQT apply to preschool programs operated by school
districts?
No. In the March 4, 2004, document entitled
“Serving Preschool Children Under Title I,”
the U.S. Department of Education clarified that the requirements for the highly qualified
designation apply to states that “consider preschool as part of public elementary education.”
Since Florida’s public education system begins with kindergarten, the requirements related
to highly qualified personnel are not applicable to school district-operated preschool
programs, including programs serving pre-kindergarten children with disabilities.
The
Florida Course Code Directory and Instructional Personnel Assignments
document
provides guidance to districts on the credentials that are required for instructional personnel
serving preschool children.
3.
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Do the requirements related to HQT apply to pre-kindergarten/kindergarten
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combination classes?
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Yes. The ESE teacher must meet the HQ requirements for kindergarten level certification
in addition to ESE certification if any of the students are enrolled in kindergarten.
Elementary (K-6) HQT
4.
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Is the reading endorsement or reading certification required for an ESE teacher
teaching reading to ESE students at the elementary level (courses #771002, #5010020,
#5010050)?
No. The elementary ESE teacher does not have to have the reading endorsement and/or
certification. However, because of the Title II monitoring finding, the ESE teacher would
have to meet the HQ requirements for an elementary teacher using one of the options listed
in the
ESE Teachers (K-6) Teaching Elementary Education
chart
(http://www.fldoe.org/NCLB/documents.asp#ESE_Requirements). If the ESE teacher
meets the HQ requirements of a general education elementary teacher, then the ESE teacher
also meets HQ for reading, grades K-6. An ESE teacher certainly can go beyond this
requirement and obtain the reading endorsement or reading certification.
5.
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Is the reading endorsement or reading certification required for an ESE teacher
teaching reading to ESE students in grade 6 (course # 7810020)?
No. However, the ESE teacher must meet the elementary highly qualified requirements
(see question above).
6.
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Which HQ requirements must an ESE teacher meet if teaching a general education
course to ESE students?
Highly qualified is triggered by courses; consequently, an ESE teacher who teaches a
general education core academic course must meet the HQ requirements for the subject
taught in addition to the appropriate ESE certification listed in the course code directory.
7.
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If an ESE teacher is teaching core academic subjects (78 courses) to grade 6 students,
which HQ requirements must the teacher meet?
The ESE teacher must meet either the HQ requirements for an elementary teacher using one
of the options listed in the
ESE Teachers (K-6) Teaching Elementary Education
chart
(http://www.fldoe.org/NCLB/documents.asp#ESE_Requirements), pass the appropriate
subject area exam, hold a certification appropriate for 5-9, 6-12, or K-12, or meet the
requirements for a HOUSSE plan appropriate for the subject(s) taught.
8.
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If a teacher has elementary education certification, is it necessary for the teacher to
have taken and passed the elementary education subject area test?
The teacher must either pass the elementary subject area test or complete an elementary
HOUSSE plan.
9.
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Is an ESE teacher who has met HQ requirements through an ESE Elementary
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HOUSSE plan considered an HQT for general education?
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No. The HOUSSE plan for ESE elementary was specifically developed to allow ESE
teachers to teach core academic subjects to ESE students in grades K-6.
Middle/High (7-12) HQT
10. Is the reading endorsement or reading certification required for an ESE teacher
teaching reading to ESE students in grades 7 – 12 (courses # 7810020, 7910100,
7910400)?
It depends on the level of instruction. If the level of instruction of the students is
elementary, then the ESE teacher must meet the HQ requirements for elementary education.
If the level of instruction of the students is above the elementary level, the ESE teacher
would be required to have the reading endorsement or certification.
11. Is an ESE teacher who has met HQ requirements through an ESE Middle/Secondary
Content Course HOUSSE plan considered an HQT for general education?
No. The HOUSSE plan for ESE middle/secondary content course was specifically
developed to allow ESE teachers to teach core academic subjects to ESE students in grades
7-12.
12. Which HQ requirements must an ESE teacher meet if teaching core academic subjects
(78 or 79 courses) to ESE students?
It depends on the level of instruction of the content, not the students’ reading or math levels.
The ESE teacher must be HQ in the specific content area(s) in addition to the appropriate
ESE certification if the students are taught the Sunshine State Standards, assessed by the
FCAT, and/or working toward a standard diploma.
The ESE teacher must be HQ in elementary education in addition to the appropriate ESE
certification if the students are working on alternate achievement standards, assessed by an
alternate achievement test, and working toward a special diploma.
13. Which HQ requirements must an ESE teacher meet if teaching a general education
course to ESE students?
Highly qualified is triggered by courses; consequently, an ESE teacher who teaches a
general education core academic course must meet the HQ requirements for the subject
taught in addition to the appropriate ESE certification listed in the course code directory.
14. How does an ESE teacher who is providing instruction at the secondary level in core
academic subject(s) to ESE students become HQ?
An ESE secondary teacher who is teaching a core subject must either meet the ESE
Middle/Secondary Content Course HOUSSE plan, pass the subject area test for the core
academic subject(s) taught, pass the middle grades integrated curriculum exam (if
appropriate for the specific course according to the CCD), or hold a certification for the
appropriate middle/secondary content area. Information concerning an online study module
for the middle grades integrated curriculum exam (MGIC) can be located at
http://FDLRSHRD.NEFEC.org/IC.
15. How does an ESE teacher who is providing instruction at the secondary level in a core
academic subject(s) to ESE students working on alternate achievement standards
become HQ?
If the level of instruction for the students is elementary, the ESE teacher needs to meet the
highly qualified requirements for elementary education (see question # 12).
16. How does an ESE teacher who is providing instruction far below grade level in a core
academic subject(s) to ESE students who are taking the FCAT but not working
toward a standard diploma become HQ?
If the level of instruction is elementary, the ESE teacher needs to meet the highly qualified
for elementary education (see question # 12). If the level of instruction is above the
elementary level, the ESE teacher is required to meet HQ for the appropriate secondary core
course(s).
High, Objective, Uniform State Standard of Evaluation (HOUSSE) Plan
17. How long is a HOUSSE plan valid?
A HOUSSE plan can be valid indefinitely as long as the teacher’s assignment is covered
under the current HOUSSE plan. However, if the teaching assignment changes, the current
HOUSSE plan should be reassessed.
18. Where is the completed HOUSSE plan kept?
The completed HOUSSE plan should be kept in the teacher’s personnel file at the district
office. Any supporting documentation should be available at the district office.
19. Which college courses can be counted on a HOUSSE plan?
College level courses that can be counted are the basic core academic courses content, such
as English, math, reading, science, or history - not methodology courses.
20. Can a HOUSSE plan be used in lieu of a reading endorsement/certification?
No. A HOUSSE plan cannot be used to satisfy the reading endorsement or reading
certification requirement. However, some of the reading courses may be used to satisfy the
professional development or college course requirements of the HOUSSE plan.
21. Can a HOUSSE plan be used in lieu of a gifted endorsement?
No. A HOUSSE plan cannot be used for gifted endorsement. However, individual
HOUSSE plans may be used for the core academic subject(s) taught by the teacher of gifted
students.
General HQT
22. How should districts code hospital/homebound (H/H) courses for secondary students?
For students who are earning credit for promotion or graduation, the general education
course code should be used in conjunction with the H/H code and the HQ requirements for
that core academic subject would apply to the teacher who delivers the instruction to the
student.
23. Must an ESE teacher have a teaching certificate in elementary education or the
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appropriate subject area(s) taught in order to be an HQT?
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No. There are several options available to ESE teachers to become HQ, such as passing the
appropriate subject area test or completing the requirements for a HOUSSE plan.
Additional areas of certification do not have to be added to the educator certificate. For
specifics refer to (http://www.fldoe.org/NCLB/documents.asp#ESE_Requirements).
24. Must teachers meet the highly qualified requirements if they are not teaching a core
academic subject?
No. Only teachers who teach core academic courses are required to meet the definition of
an HQT.
25. Which ESE courses do not trigger the HQ requirements?
Most of the courses which are not core academic are listed under the subject heading of
special courses, special skills courses, therapies, etc. These courses target specific skills
that are more applicable to certain areas of exceptionality, such as students who are on
modified curricula. Attached within this document is a chart that lists all the ESE courses
and the certification or highly qualified requirements.
26. Which service delivery models do not require content area certification?
Consultation, co-teaching, and support facilitation do not require content area certification.
27. Which course number should be used for support facilitation for a student with
significant cognitive impairments in a general education class?
The ESE course number and the students should be assigned to the general education
teacher if that teacher is teaching students with significant cognitive impairments, on a
modified curriculum, and assessed on an alternate assessment. The general education
teacher does not need ESE certification. As far as highly qualified, the basic education
teacher would have the subject area expertise with the ESE teacher providing the ESE
support necessary as identified in the individual educational plan (IEP).
In the Florida Course Code Directory under support facilitation, the narrative section under
ESE states, “In cases where non-ESE certified teachers have classes in which students are
enrolled in general education courses as well as students who are enrolled in ESE courses,
the basic education teacher is not out-of-field for the ESE course if an ESE certified teacher
is providing support facilitation services.”
28. Is an ESE teacher, with appropriate general education certification, HQ to teach a
general education class to ESE students and general education students in the same
setting?
Yes, if the ESE teacher has the appropriate general education certification for the grade
level assigned. However, since the ESE teacher is serving in the role of the general
education teacher, the teacher cannot simultaneously provide ESE services and general
education services. A teacher cannot serve in both roles (an ESE teacher and general
education teacher) during the same class period.
29. Can a teacher’s HQ status change from one year to the next?
Yes. HQ depends on the teaching assignment. If a teacher’s assignment changes, the HQ
status must be reassessed to ensure that the teacher can demonstrate competency in the new
subject area(s).
30. How do the new requirements affect teachers of the gifted?
There have been no changes. A teacher of the gifted who teaches a core academic subject
to students identified as gifted must meet the HQ requirement for the core content area(s)
taught. Additionally, the teacher of the gifted must have either a gifted endorsement or
certification in gifted education in order to be considered in-field for gifted in Florida.
31. How does highly qualified affect center school teachers who provide elementary level
instruction to students in secondary ESE courses?
A center school situation would be no different from another school. Depending on the
course numbers and the level of instruction for the students, a determination would be made
concerning the requirements for meeting the appropriate highly qualified requirements.
32. Is a teacher who is delivering instruction through H/H required to be an HQT?
Yes, if the H/H teacher is teaching core academic subjects, is the primary instructor, and is
the teacher of record.
33. Is a teacher who is delivering instruction through a computer lab required to be an
HQT?
Yes, if the teacher is teaching core academic subjects, is the primary instructor, and is the
teacher of record.
Florida Department of Education
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No Child Left Behind Act and Exceptional Student Education
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Teacher Requirements
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February 2006
Required for NCLB Highly Qualified
ESE COURSES
Certification to match
ESE Table in CCD
Evidence of Core Academic
Subject knowledge through
subject area test or HOUSSE
plan (for experienced
teachers)
Elementary ESE Academics – General
Elementary Highly Qualified
7755010 Academics: K-5
X
X
7755030 Academics Skills: K-5
X
X
7755040 Advanced Academics: K-5
X
X
7755050 Developmental Skills: K-5
X
X
Elementary ESE Academics – Subject Areas
Elementary Highly Qualified
7701010 Art: K-5
ESE optional, must
meet subject area HQT
X
7710010 Language Arts: K-5
X
X
7710030 Communications: K-5
X
X
7710040: Spelling: K-5
X
X
7710050: Writing: K-5
X
X
7712010: Math: K-5
X
X
7713010: Music K-5
ESE optional, must
meet subject area HQT
X
7720010: Science: K-5
X
X
7721010 Social Studies K-5
X
X
Grades 6-8 ESE Academics – General
Elementary or Higher
(based on level of instruction of students)
7855010 Academics: 6-8
X
X
7855030 Academic Skills: 6-8
X
X
7855040 Advanced Academics: 6-8
X
X
7855050 Developmental Skills: 6-8
X
X
Grades 6-8 ESE Academics – Subject Areas
Elementary or Higher
(based on level of instruction of students)
7810010 Language Arts: 6-8
X
X
7810030 Communications: 6-8
X
X
7812010 Math: 6-8
X
X
7820010 Science: 6-8
X
X
7821010 Social Studies: 6-8
X
X
Grades 6-8 ESE Miscellaneous
Secondary Highly Qualified
7801010 Visual & Perform Arts: 6-8
ESE optional, must
meet subject area HQT
X
7813010 Music: 6-8
ESE optional, must
meet subject area HQT
X
Grades 9-12 ESE Academics – Subject Areas
Elementary or Higher
(based on level of instruction of students)
7910110 English: 9-12
X
X
7910390 Life Skills Comm. 9-12
X
X
7912050 Math: 9-12
X
X
7912340 Life Skills Math: 9-12
X
X
7920010 Science: 9-12
X
X
7921010 Social Studies: 9-12
X
X
Grades 9-12 ESE Supported Level
Elementary highly qualified
7961010 Academic Skills for
Functional Living
X X
7961020 Communication Skills for
Functional Living
X X
Grades 9-12 ESE Participatory Level
Elementary highly qualified
7962010 Cognitive and Linguistic
Skills
X X
Grades 9-12 ESE Miscellaneous
Secondary highly qualified
7967010 Visual and Perf. Arts
X
Grades K-12 ESE Reading
7710020 Reading: K-5
X
Elementary highly qualified
or reading endorsement or
reading certification
7810020 Reading: 6-8
X
For grade 6 - Elementary
highly qualified or reading
endorsement or reading
certification;
For grades 7-8 - Based on
level of instruction of
students, elementary highly
qualified or reading
endorsement or reading
certification
7910100 Reading: 9-12
X
Based on level of instruction
of students, elementary
highly qualified or reading
endorsement or reading
certification
7910400 Life Skills Reading: 9-12
X
Based on level of instruction
of students, elementary
highly qualified or reading
endorsement or reading
certification
Basic Ed. Courses taught by ESE
teachers in self-contained or resource
room setting
Certification to
match ESE Table in
CCD
Evidence of Core Academic
Subject knowledge through
subject area test or
HOUSSE plan (for
experienced teachers)
Basic Elementary Core Course
Prefixes
Certification to match
ESE Table in CCD or
HOUSSE plan
Evidence of Core Academic
Subject knowledge through
subject area test or HOUSSE
plan
5001 Art – Visual Arts
X
X
5007 Foreign Languages
X
X
5010 Language Arts
X
X
5012 Math
X
X
5013 Music
X
X
5020 Science
X
X
5021 Social Studies
X
X
Basic Graded Self Contained Elementary
5100060 Kindergarten
X
X
5100070 First Grade
X
X
5100080 Second Grade
X
X
5100090 Third Grade
X
X
5100100 Fourth Grade
X
X
5100110 Fifth Grade
X
X
Basic Ungraded Elementary
5200010 Ungraded-Primary (K-3)
X
X
5200020 Ungraded-Intermediate (4-5)
X
X
5200030 Ungraded-Elementary
X
X
Basic Secondary Courses first 2 digit prefixes
01 Art-Visual Arts
X
X
04 Drama-Theatre Arts
X
X
07 Foreign Languages
X
X
10 Language Arts
X
X
12 Mathematics
X
X
13 Music
X
X
20 Science
X
X
21 Social Studies
X
X
24 Graded Self-Contained (except
2400200, 2400300 or 2400310)
X X