The Elementary Secondary Education Act (ESEA), known as the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001, calls for “highly qualified” teachers. The law requires a Highly Qualified (HQ) instructor in every public classroom by the end of 2005-06. The law calls for teachers to be highly qualified in their subject areas and be certified.

Teachers newly hired this school year to work in programs supported by federal Title I funds must meet the definition immediately, while all other existing public school teachers in any of the core curriculum areas have until the end of the 2005-06 school year to comply. The core areas are English, reading, language arts, mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history and geography.

Please visit the Alabama State Department website for a complete list of requirements and a list of frequently asked questions—this website is updated regularly.

The University of Alabama offers courses in traditional and non-traditional formats that may help you meet the requirements to become a Highly Qualified teacher.

Please click on the Course Link above for Course Listings.