Majority of teachers are "Highly Qualified"
By Staff
Leada Gore, Hartselle Enquirer
If your child attends Hartselle City Schools, there's an overwhelming chance their instructor is what the state terms a "Highly Qualified Teacher."
Recently released statistics from the Alabama Department of Education show 94 percent of Hartselle's 199 teachers are considered Highly Qualified. The statistics were part of the annual report card of state schools.
According to the report card, 99 percent of Hartselle's elementary school teachers are considered Highly Qualified. Eighty six percent of secondary teachers earned the designation.
Both Crestline Elementary and F. E. Burleson Elementary report 100 percent Highly Qualified teacher certification. Ninety-six percent of Barkley Bridge Elementary were Highly Qualified; 94 percent of Hartselle Junior High's teacher were Highly Qualified; and 85 percent of Hartselle High School's teacher earned the designation.
The Highly Qualified designation comes from 2001's No Child Left Behind Act. Beginning in 2003, schools systems were required to reach 100 percent certification for Highly Qualified Teachers. While it is unpopular with some educators who say it places undue burdens on school systems, NCLB pushes the idea of teacher testing and higher certification for educators.
Teachers receive the designation by obtaining state teacher certification or passing a licensing test; earning at least a bachelor's degree; and, via standardized tests, demonstrated competence in all the subject areas they teach. Other requirements apply for special education teachers or those who teach multiple grades.
NCLB also requires certain classes to be taught by a Highly Qualified Teacher.
Under NCLB, all core classes – defined as English, reading or language, math, science, foreign language, civics or government, economics, art, history and geography – be taught by a Highly Qualified Teacher. Ninety-four percent of core classes in the Hartselle system are taught by Highly Qualified teachers.
Driver's education, health education, physical education, ROTC or career tech teachers aren't required to receive Highly Qualified certification.
In most cases, veteran teachers are also exempt from Highly Qualified regulations.
Hartselle exceeds the state average for Highly Qualified Teachers in every category.
Eighty-five percent of Alabama's elementary and 78 percent of secondary teachers are considered Highly Qualified. Hartselle also has more teachers who hold a master's degree or higher.
Sixty-eight percent of Hartselle's teachers have at least a master's degree vs. 54 percent across the state.
Morgan County System
Morgan County's System falls below the state average in the number of Highly Qualified teachers.
Seventy-two percent of Morgan County's elementary teachers and 75 percent of its secondary teachers are considered Highly Qualified. On average, 73 percent of Morgan County's 539 teachers are considered Highly Qualified.
Seventy-five percent of core classes in Morgan County's system are taught by Highly Qualified Teachers.
Forty-two percent hold bachelor's degrees; 58 percent hold master's degrees or above.
