December 12, 2014
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Federal legislation known as “No Child Left Behind” requires timely notification to parents/guardians of students who attend schools receiving funds under Title I, Part A, when their child has been assigned to or taught, for four or more consecutive weeks, by a teacher who is not “highly qualified” as defined under this federal legislation. Regulatory language providing explicit direction regarding the term “highly qualified” is still being refined at the federal and state level.
Baltimore County Public Schools employ a variety of teachers who qualify for a conditional certificate rather than a professional certificate. An example would be a teacher who possesses a professional certificate from another state. That teacher may even have taught one or more years but must take one or more tests required by Maryland to be eligible for a professional certificate in Maryland. Other teachers may have rich backgrounds and/or experiences in their academic content areas (often areas where critical teacher shortages exist) and may be on the way to completing required education courses and/or tests. Many conditional teachers have completed full teacher education programs at colleges and universities outside of Maryland and are eligible for a professional certificate in these states. However, they may still need specific courses or tests required by Maryland. It is important to note that all teachers with a conditional certificate possess at least a bachelor’s degree, are provided with support, and have specific plans for attaining a professional certificate to which they must adhere under state law. The system employs professionally certificated teachers in assignments that are outside their field of certification.
Most importantly, you can be assured that all teachers on our faculty are well qualified to provide daily instruction to our most valued assets – your children. Every faculty member comes to his or her assignment with valuable background and skills and has been selected based on established criteria.
The following teachers on our faculty, have met the federal definition of “highly qualified,” and are providing instruction to our students:
Jessica Wurzbacher, Rebecca Wood.
I hope that this information is helpful and appreciate your continued support of our educational program.
Sincerely,
______
Melissa DiDonato
Principal
cCopy to the teachers listed above
Copy to your assistant superintendent of schools
Dr. Alpheus Arrington, Executive Director
Mr. James Herman, Director
Mr. Kenneth Kuyawa, Personnel Officer
Mr. Johnnie Jackson, Personnel Officer
Ms. Cynthia Hamlet, personnel officer
Ms. Shawn Stahl, personnel analyst
Office of Title I