Up-date on Teacher Reciprocity - Teacher Licensure - Teacher Testing
NO real policy changes for 2004-2005

In January 2004 the North Carolina SBE approved recommendations for policy changes regarding testing and reciprocity. The policy recommendations were approved by the 2004 Legislators in July 2004. The major policy change provides that the SBE may require each applicant for an initial bachelor’s degree certificate or graduate degree certificate to demonstrate the applicant’s academic and professional preparation by achieving a prescribed minimum score on a standard examination.

What does this mean - “may” require a test? The SBE will now begin reviewing and researching if there are newer or better tests, or other forms of assessment for NC to use as a benchmark for entering the profession of teaching. This could mean new tests in all subject areas by a company other than ETS (creators of the Praxis tests.) It could mean the SBE may reevaluate current cut scores in NC or it could mean developing another type of benchmark.

Bottom line for testing in NC: current policy for in-state teachers are in place. All teachers must take and pass the Praxis II test(s) in their subject area. If this is one’s first year teaching and they have not passed the Praxis test the LEA could request for the teacher to be on a Temporary Permit for one year. This Permit will not be issued after the June 2006 deadline for highly qualified teachers under the NCLB act.

Current policy for out-of-state teachers

: to qualify for an alternative entry license, the teacher must hold at least a bachelor’s degree, be eligible for re-employment, hold a valid out-of-state certificate with a minimum of one year of classroom teaching experience considered relevant by the local board or be a teacher who has taught at least four years on a valid license in another state, work in NC for one year and be rehired. The teachers would not be required to take a Praxis II test.

Other components of this policy that could change but have not gone into effect, include:

• Standard Professional License I (to replace the Initial License),
• Standard Professional License 2 (to replace the Continuing License),
• Alternative Professional License and International Faculty License.

The Committee recommended that teachers who have been fully licensed and designated highly qualified in another state be fully licensed and designated highly qualified in North Carolina and that years of creditable teaching outside of North Carolina be applied to meeting the requirements of the Standard Professional License 1.

Proposed policy - not yet implemented	Impact
In order to be issued a license, individuals would have to meet the NCLB definition of “Highly Qualified.” To be designated highly qualified, new elementary and exceptional children teachers must pass a rigorous state test. Middle school, secondary, special subject area, and career -technical teachers must pass a rigorous state test OR have an academic major OR the equivalent in the content area they teach OR have a graduate degree in the content area.	What this would mean for newly hired teachers 2004 and beyond: teachers of grades 6-12 would not have to take a test to earn a license in NC if they have met the other “highly qualified” credentials. Current testing policy is still in place for all NC teachers.
That the current compensatory scoring model used for Praxis II requirements in Elementary Education (00011 and 00012) be replaced with an independent scoring model. That NC adopt a new rigorous test for elementary teacher candidates that reflects current theory and best professional practices.	The SBE will now begin reviewing and researching newer or better tests, or other forms of assessment for NC to use as a benchmark for entering the profession of teaching. It could mean the SBE may reevaluate current cut scores in NC or it could mean developing another type of benchmark. NES is currently working with NC DPI staff and teachers to develop a NC K-6 test for new teachers.
That during the 2004-2005 school year, elementary teacher candidates be required to take the newly adopted rigorous state test to be issued a SPL 1. Final validation of the cut score will occur prior to July 1, 2005.	NES is currently working with NC DPI staff and teachers to develop a NC K-6 test for new teachers.

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• The SBE is committed to removing barriers but not lowering standards as they face potential policy changes.
• Most LEAs have requested once again the NCLB Federal Ed Flex waiver. This wavier allows LEAs to hire new teachers based on current policies, such as permits for one year due to the fact one has not passed the Praxis test, or a temporary license for an out-of-state teacher who needs to pass the test. However Title I K-5 schools must hire teachers who have passed the tests.
• NCDPI will accept old NTE scores of teachers moving into NC to teach.
• NCAE provides members study materials and sessions on Praxis tests. Contact Dorsey Harris