Court Curbs US Rule on Alternative Certification

Abstract:
The federal 9th Circuit appeals court struck down a federal regulation that permits California teachers who have not completed teacher credential certification, but are working towards certification to be considered “highly qualified” under the No Child Left Behind Act.

The ruling highlighted the fact that a significant percent of teachers who are in alternative training programs end up teaching in low-income communities that are also some of the poorest performing schools in the state. This decision has the potential to have a major impact on programs such as Teach For America, that rely on interns who are working on obtaining credentials through alternative credentialing routes.

Authors: Mark Walsh

Published by: Education Week http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/school_law/2010/09/federal_highly_qualified_teach.html

Date: September 27, 2010