Program Overview
The California Department of Education (CDE) believes that the teacher is at the heart of student academic success and therefore key to closing the achievement gap between poor and minority students and their more affluent peers. Teachers who are appropriately credentialed, have a deep understanding of the content they teach, and have been trained in a variety of instructional strategies are in the best position to aid California students in reaching academic proficiency. The CDE is committed to ensuring that highly qualified, experienced, and effective teachers teach all students, regardless of ethnicity or socio-economic status. Equally the CDE is committed to ensuring that every child has the same opportunity to attend a school with an effective, experienced administrator.
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) requires all teachers of core academic subjects to demonstrate ESEA teacher quality compliance. The federal definition of a Highly Qualified Teacher (HQT) is three fold: teachers must hold at least a bachelors degree, be appropriately licensed by the state, and demonstrate subject matter competency.
Title II Compliance Monitoring Intervention and Sanctions
Resources, templates and forms related to monitoring, intervention and sanctions.
California’s Teacher Equity Plan (TEP) (DOC; 232KB; 21pp.)
Addresses Requirement Six of the State’s Plan for Highly Qualified Teachers (HQT), written and approved by the State Board of Education (SBE) in September 2010. It reflects the steps the State is currently taking to ensure that students from low-income families and minority students are not taught at higher rates than other students by inexperienced, unqualified, or out-of-field teachers.
Paraprofessional Requirements for Title I Programs
ESEA requirements for paraprofessionals working in Title I programs.
Parent Information Relating to Teacher and Principal Quality
Information for parents regarding ESEA requirements for teacher and principal quality.
Teacher and Principal Evaluation Systems
The following external Web links relating to teacher and principal evaluation are provided as a resource and information for possible implementation.
State and Federal Resources and Guidance
Related guidance, resources, templates, and forms for ESEA, Improving Teacher and Principal Quality.
California's Verification Process for Special Settings (VPSS) (DOC; 203KB; 33pp.)
Outlines program requirements as established by the State Board of Education and subsequent Title 5 regulations. Process will provide advanced certification for teachers in special settings.
School Staffing Report
Provides information on HQT status and teacher and principal evaluation for each local educational agency in the state.
Regulations and Requirements
California Code of Regulations (Outside Source)
To access the relevant section of the regulations, follow these steps:
- Browse to the above Web site.
- Select the hyperlink "Title 5. Education."
- A pop-up warning will appear. Choose the link "Continue to WebLinks."
- Expand the item "Division 1. California Department of Education."
- Then expand the item "Chapter 6. Certified Personnel."
- And, finally expand the item "Subchapter 7. "
- You will now be able to expand Article 1 through 6 to view links with information.
Sample Notifications for Title I Programs
The two templates for parent notifications, as required by Title II, Part A, may be modified by schools for communications with local parents.Parents' Right to Know Letter Regarding Teacher Qualifications (DOC; 24KB; 1pp.)
Available Translations of the Parents' Right to Know Letter Regarding Teacher Qualifications
Federal law requires that parents be notified of their right to know the professional qualifications of their child's teacher(s) in core academic subject areas.
Parents' Four-Week Notice Regarding Teacher Qualifications (DOC; 23KB; 1pp.)
Available Translations of the Parents' Four-Week Notice Regarding Teacher Qualifications
Federal law requires that parents be notified when their child has been taught for four or more consecutive weeks by a teacher who has not met the High Quality Teacher Requirements set forth in ESEA.
Frequently Asked Questions
- ESEA Frequently Asked Questions for Special Education Teachers (Updated 17-Jun-2009)
Information on the ESEA and IDEA teacher requirements.
- FAQs: CTE Teachers Meeting ESEA HQT Compliance
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) by Career Technical Education (CTE) teachers complying with the No Child Left Behind (ESEA) requirements for Highly Qualified Teachers (HQT).
