Subject: HQ Workshops in October - Save the Date

Hi Staff,

Hope you are doing well and had a good start to the school year. If you know someone who has been having trouble with their email, kindly pass this info on to them.

FYI: The requirements to be HQ in Core Academic Subjects does not apply to EC teachers or Speech and Language Therapists. You may read on or attend the workshops if you like, especially if you think that you will be teaching core academic subjects to children in Kindergarten or older in the future. Assistive Tech and Intervention Managers have engaged in the HQ requirements just for flexibility in the future, even though they are not currently teaching core academic subjects to students for a grade.

All teachers who teach core academics subjects for a grade, to children Kindergarten and up, must currently be highly qualified. Even if your students take the alternate assessment, you must be HQ. Here is some important info regarding HQ. Please read this document carefully for info and insights. The bottom portion has the workshop info (Oct. 11, Oct. 12, Oct 15, Oct. 22)

What’s new in HQ and the world of Highly Qualified?

Well, the Federal government is contemplating making changes to the Highly Qualified requirements as part of the reauthorization of NCLB. These changes of course, will only making it more complex.

So........I’m thinking that you want to be absolutely sure that you have done everything that Illinois currently allows you to do to become highly qualified now in the Core Academic Subject areas that you will teach... for the rest of your career.

Why should I still be thinking about Highly Qualified if I did it last year?

Highly Qualified is trickier for special education teachers, as the subjects taught and grade level of the students you teach can change from year to year, and semester to semester. If you are teaching a different grade level or subject than you taught last year, or if you might ever teach a different grade or subject anytime in the future before you retire, then you still need to think about HQ.

Certification is also an area that comes into consideration. Teachers with emergency certificates, provisional certificates, or limitations on their LBS-I, are not considered HQ until they have completed the requirements for certification.

What’s the story with HOUSSE? Is it always going to be available in Illinois?

Well...I can’t promise that. (Hey its not really up to me anyway. I’m just the messenger!) Presently Illinois has HOUSSE, which is an option for veteran teachers (defined as having one year of teaching experience) to use to show through documentation of experience and professional development, you are indeed highly qualified to teach Core Academic Subjects. After using HOUSSE the teacher then submit the HQ info to ISBE on the Educator Certification System (ECS.)

Illinois and the Federal Government monitor which teachers are not Highly Qualified and require a roadmap/plan to show how the teacher will become highly qualified. What will happen to HOUSSE in the future is not known. The Federal government would like HOUSSE to no longer be an option. Best not to wait to find out! (I would think that teachers would still have the option in the future to get another degree in the subject, major of 32 hour in a Core Academic Subject, or take the ISBE subject area test if HOUSSE is no longer an option.)

What do I think?

I am so impressed with how our KCSEC staff has followed through with the highly qualified requirements! You are very responsible professionals and take this seriously. Its complex, but once you understand it, and know what to do, it gets easier.

Teachers are responsible for what they entered on their IFT worksheets and on ECS. But how do you know what to do??? I am happy to help and provide you with step by step directions with all the details. Some of you are reviewing your current and possible future assignments and working on including more areas to be HQ while HOUSSE is still available. Others are checking that they entered the correct information on their IFT worksheets, just to be sure.

I have corresponded recently with everyone! Many benefited from specific follow-up. I will be having workshops again this month where you can get an overview of the process, as well as individual advice.

What if a teacher is teaching a subject that they are not HQ in?
You are not suppose to be teaching subjects that you are not HQ in. If you are, I need a “Roadmap Plan” from you indicating how you will become HQ.

What if all this HQ is new to you and you really are not sure what I am talking about?
No worries. Meet with me at one of the workshops and I will explain it all. Everyone was feeling this way at one time or another. I will help you through this.

In fact, one teacher who met with me multiple times last year to work through the process, actually ended up helping other people understand HQ. We do pay it forward. :)

****************** Who should come to the workshop?*******************

All first year teachers, second year teachers, new hires, and individuals who are required to have a “Roadmap/Plan” because they are not currently HQ should come. Also, teachers who want to follow up on any emails I have sent should attend. Teachers who will be adding more areas to be HQ in, should attend if you need assistance. Teachers who just want more info are welcome to attend.

NOTE: TEACHERS WHO ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A ROADMAP/PLAN: If you are not HQ, is important that you meet with me during one of the workshop times. You must discuss your Roadmap /Plan regarding how you will be come HQ. It is a state requirement that you not only have a plan, but you monitor how it going so we can help along the way. You need to have a plan on file if you are a first or second year teacher or you are teaching a subject you are NHQ (Fed lingo for a teacher who is teaching a subject they are not HQ in or if they have emergency/provisional or limited certification.)

Wow. These workshops sound great. How much does it cost to attend?
They’re free. (You probably guessed that.)

When? Where? Sign me up.
All workshops will be held at the Coop from 4-6:00.
Of course I will stay later if you need more help.
Please call to RSVP (to Melinda at 630-553-5833) so we know how many to plan for.

If you have access to a laptop, please bring it. Bring any info you completed previously regarding HQ. Bring your plan.

Join me on any of the following dates:
Thursday, October 11, 2007

Friday, October 12, 2007

Monday, October 15, 2007

Monday, October 22, 2007
You may attend on more than one date if you like.

Thanks again for being such a great staff. Your positive attitude and dedication are definitely HQ.
Best,
Linda L