Highly Qualified Teacher State Definition

The reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Act (ESEA), also known as the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 will have a significant impact on the recruitment, retention and professional development of teachers in the Puerto Rico public education system.

The Law refers to ”highly qualified teachers” both under Title I and Title II. For Title I, any teacher hired after January 8, 2002 must be “highly qualified” when hired, and all teachers teaching “core academic subjects” must be “highly qualified” by the end of the 2005-2006 school year (section 1119)

For the Puerto Rico Department of Education a highly qualified teacher is one that holds at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited higher education institution. has obtained full state certification in the level and/or core subject taught and has demonstrated competency in the level and/or core subject(s) taught.

The act applies this requirement to the “core academic subjects,” Puerto Rico will consider “core academic subjects” as meaning;

  • Spanish
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Science (General Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science, Earth Science)
  • Social Studies
  • Elementary level (K-3, 4-6,)
  • Special Education (teachers who teach core academic subjects as defined)
  • Arts ( visual arts, dance-movement & corporal expression, music, theater, ballet)

 

Specific requirements for different groups

Teacher not new to the profession ( A teacher already hired and working in the system)

A highly qualified teacher is one who:

  1. Holds at least a bachelor’s degree
  2. Has full state certification
  3. Has demonstrated competency by
  • passing a rigorous state test that consists of:

Elementary level (K-6 th grades) – General knowledge Test and Pedagogical Competencies Test (PCMAS); or

  • PRHOUSSE (Until December 13, 2007 )

Secondary Level (7-12 th grades) - General knowledge Test, Pedagogical Competencies Test, Core Subject Specialized Test (PCMAS); or

  • 21 undergraduate credits in the core content; or
  • 18 graduate credits in the core subject; or
  • Master’s or higher degree in the core subject; or
  • PRHOUSSE (until December 13, 2007 )

 

A teacher new to the profession (A teachers hired for the first time in the system)

Elementary level:

  1. Holds a least a bachelor’s degree.
  2. Has demonstrated competency in elementary curriculum areas by passing a rigorous state test.
  3. Has full state certification

Secondary School Teacher

  1. Holds a least a bachelor’s degree.
  2. has full state certification
  3. and has demonstrated competency by
  • passing a state test on each of the subject matter he/she teaches or

C. Special Education Teachers not new to the profession

Elementary Level:

    1. Holds a least a bachelor’s degree.
    2. Has a special education certification
    3. Has demonstrated competency in elementary curriculum areas by:
      • passing The Puerto Rico Certification Tests (PCMAS); or
      • PRHOUSSE

Secondary Level:

  1. Holds a least a bachelor’s degree.
  2. Has a special education certification
  3. Has demonstrated competency by
  • passing the appropriate Puerto Rico Certification Tests (PCMAS); or
  • 21 undergraduate credits in each core subject taught; or
  • 18 graduates credits in each core subject taught; or
  • Masters degree or higher in each core subject taught; or
  • PRHOUSSE

Special Education Teachers new to the profession

Elementary Level:

    1. Holds a least a bachelor’s degree.
    2. Has a special education certification
    3. Has demonstrated competency in elementary curriculum areas by passing The Puerto Rico Certification Tests (PCMAS);

Secondary Level:

    1. Holds a least a bachelor’s degree.
    2. Has a special education certification
    3. Has demonstrated competency by passing the appropriate Puerto Rico Certification Tests (PCMAS); or

The Puerto Rico Department of Education will not consider as “highly qualified” any teacher who:

  1. does not meet the NCLB Act qualification requirements;
  2. has less the a bachelors degree; and/or
  3. is teaching outside their field of certification; and/or
  4. holds an alternate or provisional certification; and/or
  5. was hired through a special recruitment(emergency) process

Paraprofessionals and teaching assistants

The NCLB paraprofessional qualification requirements apply to paraprofessionals and teacher assistants providing instructional support within a school.

For the purposes of NCLB instructional support includes:

  • One to one tutoring
  • Assisting in classroom management
  • Assisting in computer instruction
  • Providing support in a library or media center
  • Providing instructional support under the direct supervision of a certified teacher

PRDE will consider a Paraprofessional to be highly qualified through one of the following options:

  • Complete at least 60 credits of post secondary study at an accredited institution of higher education; or
  • Obtain an associate’s degree or higher; or
  • Demonstrate competency by passing a test that measures knowledge and ability to assist in the instruction of Spanish, English and Mathematics.

 

Title I Right to Know Provision

The NCLB act provides a “right to know” provision for parents. At the beginning of each school year all schools supported by Title I funds will provide information about the professional qualification of teachers. Each school district will inform parents annually of their right to require information of the academic preparation of the teachers who teach their children. At a minimum, the following information will be required:

  • Whether the teacher has met state certification requirements for the grade level and subjects areas taught;
  • If the teacher is teaching under an emergency license;
  • Whether the teacher is teaching out of field;
  • The bachelor degree major of the teacher, any other graduate degree held by the teacher and the field or discipline of the certification or license.
  • Whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.