From the National Center for Learning Disabilities:
Did you know that teachers with only a few weeks of preparation can be identified as "highly qualified" teachers under federal law?
Did you know that your child’s teacher could be called highly qualified while they are at the same time learning to become a teacher? Students with the greatest need — students with disabilities, English learners, students of color and low-income students — are more likely to be taught by a non-certified teacher.
Your calls helped dissuade the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee from including the Highly Qualified Teachers (HQT) amendment in its mark-ups on Tuesday. But our work is not yet done. The HQT provision could still be included in the mark-up of the full committee on Thursday.
Let the Senate know that students in need deserve better! Join 87 disability, civil rights, parent, principal, rural and education advocacy groups to demand that the federal government start collecting information from schools, districts and states that will let parents know if their child's teacher is credentialed and fully prepared to support their child in the classroom.
Take Action Now:
Call the members of the Senate Appropriations Committee:
The list with phone numbers can be found here. It is important that you make these calls today, Wednesday, June 13th.
Communicate the following message:
- On Thursday, June 14th, the full Senate Appropriations Committee is scheduled to again look at this issue.
- I ask that your office oppose any effort that will extend a bad federal policy to allow teachers in training to be called “highly qualified.” This is not fair to parents or to our highest need students!
- If the provision must be extended, I request that the federal government start collecting information from schools, districts and states that will let parents know if their child’s teacher is credentialed and fully prepared to support their child in the classroom.
- Can I count on you to stand up for children in need?
We can't be quiet when high-need students are unfairly treated. Enough is enough!
Thank you,
The NCLD team
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